Sintra, Portugal
1842-1854
Sintra, Portugal
14th century
Porto, Portugal
1842
Sintra, Portugal
1904
Sintra, Portugal
18th century
Porto, Portugal
1920-1957
Guimarães, Portugal
1420-1422
Mafra, Portugal
1717-1730
Lisbon, Portugal
1726
Lisbon, Portugal
1747
Sintra, Portugal
1858
Vila Real, Portugal
16th century
Braga, Portugal
1754
Sintra, Portugal
1783-1787
Lisbon, Portugal
1671
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.