Oponice, Slovakia
13th century
Veľký Blh, Slovakia
13th century
Brekov, Slovakia
13th century
Hodejov, Slovakia
13th century
Ilava, Slovakia
c. 1100
Ružomberok, Slovakia
1262
Markušovce, Slovakia
1284
Divín, Slovakia
13th century
Dobrá Voda, Slovakia
13th century
Zvolen, Slovakia
12th century
Bytča, Slovakia
15th century
Hajnácka, Slovakia
13th century
Jasenov, Slovakia
13th century
Lednica, Slovakia
13th century
Pruské, Slovakia
13th century
Martin, Slovakia
13th century
Kláštor pod Znievom, Slovakia
1243
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.