Via Matildica of the Holy Face is an itinerary connecting the most important spots in the life of Matilde di Canossa, in a spectacular combination of history, religion and tradition.
There are three Italian regions involved: Lombardia, Emilia-Romagna, Toscana in a path that origins in Mantua and crosses all the Po Valley until the city of Reggio Emilia; then up to the Appennines and descending gently until the city of Lucca.
The section of the path involving the Reggio Emilia area starts in the rural plains near the Po river, in Guastalla. Here the silence of the river interrupts the sound of the steeples, in a very poetic landscape typical of Giovannino Guareschi stories. Following the path you slowly approach the city; cultivated fields are gradually replaced by manufacturing plants grown with brilliance and sweat by local entrepreneurs, creating a system of excellences. You arrive in Reggio Emilia through the northern area, one being considerable developed in recent years, especially thanks to the futuristic architecture wonders designed by Spanish Santiago Calatrava: the three white bridges floating over the highway and high speed train station Mediopadana. Moving south past the city, you leave the green valley to climb towards the Appennino Reggiano, time slows down here, the atmosphere becomes more relaxed and suddenly you find yourself among historic memories and ancient characters. Once arrived in Canossa you can admire the ruins of the old Canossa Castle, famous because of the memorable meeting between Emperor Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII; then you move towards the small villages of Casina and Carpineti, where you can find Rossena Sarzano and Carpineti Castles to conclude this interesting historic scenario. From this little preview, you go deeper into the mountain landscape getting closer to the Tuscan border, passing Toano, Gazzano, San Pellegrino in Alpe going down toward Castelnuovo di Garfagnana for the last fragment of the itinerary, the one that brings you to Lucca, the hometown of the Canossa dynasty.
Via Matildica of the Holy Face allows to discover a complex and rich territory, either on the panoramic, architectural, naturalistic side. You can easily alternate walk-arounds along river sides and rural paths with amazing little ancient villages on the Appennines, following the great gestures of Matilde di Canossa in a uncontaminated environment.
ITINERE organizes tailor-made tours to combine the discovery of Matilde di Canossa places with enogastronomic experiences, in a territory full of care and love for its origins.
On demand, touristic packages are available for FIT and groups.
Information and contact:
0522 1696020
info@itinere.re.it
