Monterosso al Mare, Italy
1618
Noto, Italy
1776
Sirmione, Italy
15th century
Milan, Italy
1844
Rome, Italy
4th century AD
Matera, Italy
1203-1270
Turin, Italy
1491-1498
Lecce, Italy
1659
Noto, Italy
1693
Positano, Italy
10th century
Palermo, Italy
1601
Catania, Italy
1768
Como, Italy
1396
Naples, Italy
10th century
Brescia, Italy
15th century
Venice, Italy
1430s
Venice, Italy
1481-1489
Noto, Italy
1695
Cefalù, Italy
1131-1240
Ravello, Italy
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.