Explore the historic highlights of Syracuse
Syracuse, Italy
7th century AD
Syracuse, Italy
5th century BC
Syracuse, Italy
12th century
Syracuse, Italy
5th century BC
Syracuse, Italy
1397
Syracuse, Italy
6th century BCE
Syracuse, Italy
3rd century BCE
Syracuse, Italy
1232-1240
Syracuse, Italy
1st century AD
Syracuse, Italy
1886
Syracuse, Italy
c. 1100
Syracuse, Italy
1st century AD
Syracuse, Italy
1st century AD
Syracuse, Italy
402-397 BCE
Syracuse, Italy
212 BCE
Syracuse, Italy
3rd century AD
Syracuse, Italy
1943
Syracuse, Italy
6th century BCE
The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.
In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians.