Amalfi, Italy
1266
Monreale, Italy
1172-1267
Rome, Italy
998 AD
Rome, Italy
340 AD
Palermo, Italy
1143
Catania, Italy
1711
Turin, Italy
1620
Turin, Italy
1619
Syracuse, Italy
7th century AD
Rome, Italy
311-314 AD
Bergamo, Italy
1697
Venice, Italy
1338
Palermo, Italy
1185
Venice, Italy
1565
Bergamo, Italy
1137
Milan, Italy
1095
Bergamo, Italy
11th century
Rome, Italy
6th century AD
Venice, Italy
1492
Venice, Italy
13th 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.