| A
powerful fortified system protecting the feudal state: this
is what the countess Matilde governed between the XI and XII
centuries. The origin of these castles dates back to the family
of the Attonidi, the lineage of Matilde, who had reinforced,
between the Taro and the Reno, the northern frontier of her
land. The defensive structures represented a safety assurance
but developed, at the same time, a symbolic authoritative function.
These castles have often been built through reinforcing preexistent
structures. The fortified lines (as it is evident in the Apennines
near Reggio) continued each other from West to East at different
altimetric heights. Canossa, for example, lies on an intermediate
line , while Bianello faces directly the plain ready to contrast
the enemies coming from north. The matildic castles suffered
the conflictual attitude of the municipalities first and of
the lords then; most of them have been transformed into residential
villas, but the peculiar matildic structure is still evident
under the restauration works. |
For
any information about the castles in the
region of Reggio:
Coordinamento
Circuito Castelli Matildici
& Corti Reggiane
at the Castle of Montecchio
tel. +39 0522.860789
fax +39 0522.863066
e-mail:
biblioteca@comune.
montecchio-emilia.re.it |
