Oviedo, Spain
842 AD
Mérida, Spain
13th century
Lugo, Spain
3rd century AD
Mérida, Spain
2nd century AD
Ávila, Spain
1130-1160
Ávila, Spain
1482-1493
Mérida, Spain
c. 20 BCE
Lena, Spain
852 AD
Ávila, Spain
16th century
Ávila, Spain
1562
Antequera, Spain
3000 BCE
Ávila, Spain
1210
Las Médulas, Spain
0-100 AD
Ávila, Spain
1478
Ávila, Spain
12th century
Antequera, Spain
1800 BCE
Santillana del Mar, Spain
36,000 BCE
Ávila, Spain
12th century
Atapuerca, Spain
800000 BCE
Mérida, Spain
1st century AD
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.