Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
11th century
Jüchen, Germany
11th century
Burg an der Wupper, Germany
c. 1133
Bielefeld, Germany
13th century
Königswinter, Germany
1138-1167
Raesfeld, Germany
12th century
Monschau, Germany
c. 1217
Gladbeck, Germany
13th century
Lüdinghausen, Germany
13th century
Krefeld, Germany
c. 1200
Mechernich, Germany
1396-1406
Oberhausen, Germany
13th century
Havixbeck, Germany
14th century
Altena, Germany
1108
Aachen, Germany
13th century
Bad Münstereifel, Germany
13th century
Tecklenburg, Germany
c. 1100
Mönchengladbach, Germany
12th century
Zülpich, Germany
14th century
Kleve, Germany
11th 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.