Veltheim, Switzerland
14th century
Holderbank, Switzerland
c. 1050
Rothenbrunnen, Switzerland
12th century
Burgistein, Switzerland
14th century
Untersiggenthal, Switzerland
1240
Wartau, Switzerland
c. 1225
Brugg, Switzerland
10th century
Gränichen, Switzerland
13th century
Grono, Switzerland
12th century
Trin, Switzerland
12th century
Meiringen, Switzerland
c. 1250
Weissenburg, Switzerland
13th century
Champvent, Switzerland
c. 1250
Bubikon, Switzerland
1190s
Signau, Switzerland
12th century
Lostorf, Switzerland
13th century
Haldenstein, Switzerland
10th century
Flims, Switzerland
10th century
Albula/Alvra, Switzerland
c. 1200
Luzein, Switzerland
12th 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.