Votigno di Canossa is a charming medieval village nestled in the green hills of Emilia-Romagna. Its beauty, almost magical, and its perfect state of conservation are the main features that rank it among the most attractive villages in Italy for tourists and not only, so much so that it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Visit Votigno di Canossa
A suggestive, almost surreal atmosphere, that distinguishes the village of Votigno di Canossa, a jewel nestled in the hills of Emilia: it is impossible not to be fascinated by its beauty and its perfection, especially observing it from the panoramic terrace.
It also adds an exotic mystical charm due to the statues of the Buddha, the Tibetan flags and the many symbols of the Buddhist religion that reaches its maximum expression inside the House of Tibet, a Buddhist monastery built in 1990 that, In 1999, it was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama himself.
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Tibetan history and culture find ample space inside the village where you can also visit the Museum of Tibet which, inside, contains rare objects and also boasts a section dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.
In addition to the cultural wealth, Votigno di Canossa, also offers breathtaking natural landscapes and various tourist attractions such as the Matilde Path.
Along this path, on foot or by bike, you can venture on a path that starts from San Pellegrino in Alpe and arrives Ciano d’Enza, to discover this important female figure through history between churches and castles, including the castle of Canossa and the Castle of Sarzano.
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The Castle of Canossa
After admiring the beauty of Votigno di Canossa, you can visit the Castle of Canossa, just a couple of kilometers from the village: the castle stands on a cliff, strategic choice that was made at the time of its construction to make it inaccessible.
The castle has a history closely related to the Countess Matilda of Canossa: legend tells that the countess, combative and pious was even more cunning than the devil. So one day he caught the devil and imprisoned him in a bottle. The condition for freeing him was to build a mysterious and inviolable castle. The devil accepted and the castle took shape just as the countess wished. Even today from its top you can admire deep grooves in the ground, along the side of the cliff, called just “claws of the devil” because created by the latter, according to tradition.
Today the state of the castle is not the best: reduced to a ruin, you can see some walls and a crypt. Despite this, its peculiarity is so recognized that the castle is classified as a National Monument.
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Votigno di Canossa: where to sleep?
For those who want to explore this wonderful village, you can find a solution in Canossa or in one of the small villages nearby.
Those who, instead, prefer to be based in larger areas and with more activities and attractions available, dedicating a day to visit Votigno di Canossa, can opt for other more central solutions.
In fact, from Reggio-Emilia, you can reach the village with only forty minutes by car while, from Modena, it will take about an hour.
Typical Emilian cuisine: the dishes not to be missed
During your stay in Emilia-Romagna, short or long, you must absolutely try the typical cuisine of the place, considered one of the best in Italy.
Emilia-Romagna offers a large amount of tasty dishes, starting with lasagne Bolognese, which here you can taste in the classic version with sauce and béchamel sauce, but also in the recipe with green pasta with spinach, and continuing with the tortelli made with fresh pasta pulled by hand and stuffed with herbs and ricotta, pumpkin and amaretti or potatoes.
Among the first dishes of the Romagna tradition to try absolutely we also mention the cappelletti (also known as anolini) stuffed with meat, to be enjoyed in broth, with meat sauce or in Parmesan cheese cream.
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Impossible, then, not to taste the tigelle, perfect as a main course if you want to eat something undemanding, maybe even walking, without sacrificing taste: these scones are a must try with mortadella.
Even in terms of desserts, Emilia-Romagna boasts exquisite recipes: among the most refined we find the sweet cake, originally from the city of Ferrara, a very soft dessert made of dark chocolate, perfect for breakfast or for a snack, melts in the mouth.
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