Canossa

[ kuh-nos-uh; Italian kah-naws-sah ]

noun

1. a ruined castle in N Italy: scene of the penance of Emperor Henry IV of the Holy Roman Empire before Pope Gregory VII in 1077.

Canossa

/ kəˈnɒsə; kaˈnossa /

noun

1. a ruined castle in N Italy, in Emilia near Reggio nell'Emilia: scene of the penance done by the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV before Pope Gregory VII

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. go to Canossa, to humble oneself.

Example Sentences

Near Parma is Canossa, the site of an old fortified town, one day of considerable importance, but now decayed beyond hope.

From Project Gutenberg

It was in the year 1080, three years after the events of Canossa, that the next step was taken by Gregory.

From Project Gutenberg

At this period Bismarck made his famous declaration, "To Canossa we do not go!"

From Project Gutenberg

I had spent more than a month with her in the castle at Canossa, and there I learned to know her well and to love her.

From Project Gutenberg

Canossa lies almost due south of Reggio d'Emilia, upon the slopes of the Apennines.

From Project Gutenberg