In Canossa, a virtual tour to experience the story of Matilda

It is an immersive journey that allows you to step into the shoes of one of the most important women in Italian medieval history, You Are Matilda of Canossa. Made under the patronage of the Municipality of Canossa, it is a guided tour between Virtual Reality and live experience to experience Matilda’s story firsthand, but also to discover places rich in history and tradition such as the territories of the Terre di Canossa and the Matildic fortifications of the Val d’Enza.After the success of You Are Leo, the Virtual Tour dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci that in 2019 involved more than 40,000 people in Milan, Way Experience presents, starting May 27, 2022, a new journey dedicated to the oldest modern woman. Playing the voice is Barbara Alberti, Italian writer, screenwriter, playwright, journalist, columnist, TV personality, actress and radio host.

Why Matilde?

You Are Matilda of Canossa is set in an era of important cultural and social changes aimed at promoting true gender equality and highlighting the stories of women who changed the course of history. Matilda of Canossa is the first example in History of a "woman of power." Indeed, she was a powerful feudal lady who came to dominate all the Italic territories north of the Papal States. Under her command, the Canossa rule reached its maximum extent. In a difficult era characterized by constant wars, battles and intrigue, Matilda demonstrated an innate aptitude for leadership. In fact, on the occasion of the war against Emperor Henry IV, it seems that the Great Countess had personally participated in the battle with a handful of chosen and faithful warriors. This sets up the image of the warrior Matilda, who took lessons in strategy and military command from Goffredo (her stepfather), who knew how to ride and was capable of using weapons. The troubled biographical story of the Countess goes far beyond the stereotype of the powerful woman: the figure of Matilda is characterized by a personality destined to defy conventions, prejudices and change the course of History. The charisma of a woman who, in the heart of the Middle Ages, emblematically embodied the feminine and made her in our eyes the oldest modern woman.

The Route

Through Virtual Reality, visitors will be able to step into Matilda’s shoes and experience some of the crucial moments of her life. The Castle of Canossa, in the Reggio Emilia Apennines, is the physical, real place from which Way started by creating a virtual layer that allows visitors to immerse themselves in its history and territories through a route that includes two differentiated tours: for individual participants in Canossa and for organized groups through the Val d’Enza territory. Individual participants will be accompanied by a royal guide on a tour that includes a walk around the Castle of Canossa with 4 virtual stops. All participants will be equipped with a Virtual Reality visor and at some points will be invited to wear the visor to enjoy immersive experiences in the 11th century and to enjoy the account made by Matilda herself of her time. The tour will last a total of about 1 hour and 30 minutes. For groups, the tour will instead go through the Val d’Enza territory telling its strategic importance and history through the figure of Matilda of Canossa in 2 physical stops (Rossenella Tower and Canossa Castle) and 5 virtual stops. The tour will have a total duration of about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

The stages

The first stage of the VR tour puts the visitor in direct contact with Matilda, telling her personality and her most intimate face. In this first scene she herself, through the voice of Barbara Alberti, will narrate her life, her childhood, the death of her father, her brothers, her loneliness in Germany, and her relationship with her cousin Henry IV. The second scene is a journey through time and space: we return to Matilda’s time to discover the Lands of Canossa, her castles and the battles she fought there, especially the Battle of the Mist. In the third stage, participants, cast in the shoes of the protagonist, experience firsthand the historical event of Henry IV’s repentance and humiliation before Pope Gregory VII. The fourth content presents a larger virtual tour of Canossa Castle and its evolution over time, thanks to three 3-D reconstructions. Groups will be able to experience a fifth exclusive content: a 360° virtual journey to discover the most striking Matildic places in the Val D’Enza. The reconstructions of the territory and the castle were made possible thanks to the accurate philological research of the Italian Institute of Castles - Emilia Romagna section, fundamental support to the scientific and historical content of the narration by Donatella Jager Bedogni.

The territory

Terre Matildiche represents a highway exit that blends in with the thousands of others on the A1. Behind this name, however, lies a whole world made up of stories and people who, from the time of the ladies to the ebikes of today, represent the true cradle of Reggio Emilia. Canossa and the entire province more generally preserve memories of all the major historical periods that have passed from the fossils that abound in the badlands to the Roman period, from Matilda’s Canossa to the Reggio Estense, from the partisan uprisings to the Calatrava bridges. History in Reggio flows as slowly as the waters of the Crostolo, and precisely because of this natural flow of it, it has been easy here more than in other areas to see innovation and tradition coexisting, manifesting themselves in both the historical-naturalistic and eno-gastronomic legacies.

Project partners: Rescover, Fontana Viaggi, Lions Club Canossa Val d’Enza, Italian Institute of Castles - Emilia Romagna Section.

Sponsors: Agromilk, Antichi Poderi di Canossa, Nuova Idropress SpA, Project Group, Sicem Saga while other virtuous companies in the area are still joining the project.

Info: www.youarematilde.it Tickets on sale online at www.rescover/prodotto/youarematilde.it Tours for individual participants: available Friday through Sunday at the following times: 9.30 | 11.30 | 15.30 | 17.30 Tours for organized groups: available Tuesday through Sunday. For information on times and availability write to youarematilde@fontanaviaggi.com The tour can be enjoyed in Italian and English. Rates (pre-sale included) Individuals: € 22 Reduced (up to and including 13 years old): € 17 Groups: € 27 Foreign groups: € 32 School groups: € 17 Companies: € 27 For information: 334 19 20 255 youarematilde@fontanaviaggi.com

In Canossa, a virtual tour to experience the story of Matilda

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