Otranto, Italy
1088
Rome, Italy
280 AD / 1585
Cremona, Italy
1167
Naples, Italy
9th century AD
Noto, Italy
1730-1758
Trento, Italy
1212
Naples, Italy
13th century
Naples, Italy
1590
Matera, Italy
1218
Rome, Italy
422-432
Rome, Italy
386 AD
Genoa, Italy
10th century AD
Milan, Italy
c. 364 AD
Rome, Italy
c. 300 AD
Genoa, Italy
11th century
Bari, Italy
1087-1197
Milan, Italy
c. 1080 AD
Naples, Italy
1816
Ostuni, Italy
1228
Milan, Italy
1463
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.