The assignment developed from the pre-existing stability problems of the Canossa cliff. The rocky hill, which constitutes the high ground of the Canossa cliff, is affected by different fractures that may enhance instability phenomena such as: collapses, overturnings or combined movements of potentially large stone elements.

The rocky hill lays on a geological unit containing clay and marl, subject to slow erosion processes and local superficial instabilities, that slightly reach the infrastructures in the vicinity of the castle: for this reason the main road SP73 to the access road to the castle is undermined by such phenomena.

Despite the interventions carried out in the past to address these risks (the last episode was the collapse of a large block in February 2003), it was necessary to define in detail new remedial measures based on a better knowledge of the geological context. The Preliminary (technical-economical evaluation), Final and Detailed design of the consolidation works was developed to guarantee the stability of the rocky facade on which the Canossa castle is built. The design of a new parking lot on the North side of the cliff was also part of the scope of work of ENSER.