Germany: Woodcut print of Henry IV (1050 - 1106), 18th Holy Roman emperor, seen waiting outside Canossa Castle after the 'Walk to Canossa' with his wife, Bertha of Savoy and son, Conrad, 1563, published by John Foxe

The 'Road to Canossa', sometimes called the 'Walk to Canossa' or 'Humiliation of Canossa', refers to Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV's trek to Canossa Castle, Italy, where Pope Gregory VII was staying as the guest of Margravine Matilda of Tuscany, at the height of the investiture controversy in January 1077 to seek absolution of his excommunication.

According to contemporary sources, he was forced to humiliate himself on his knees waiting for three days and three nights before the entrance gate of the castle, while a blizzard raged.

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