Milan, Italy
14th century
Sirmione, Italy
12th century
Vigevano, Italy
c. 1337
Mantua, Italy
1395-1406
Brescia, Italy
14th century
Bergamo, Italy
12th century
Pavia, Italy
1360
Varenna, Italy
11th century
Angera, Italy
13th century
Desenzano del Garda, Italy
c. 1000
Somma Lombardo, Italy
13th century
Soncino, Italy
1468
Lonato, Italy
10th century AD
Trezzo sull'Adda, Italy
1370
Lecco, Italy
12th century
Legnano, Italy
13th century
Monzambano, Italy
11th century
Lodi, Italy
1355
Iseo, Italy
12th century
Malpaga, Italy
15th century
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.