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Founded: c. 1040Category: Religious sites in Germany
Historical period: Salian Dynasty (Germany)
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The Holy Cross Abbey in Donauwörth was founded around 1040 by Mangold I von Werd as a Benedictine convent. In the early 12th century the convent moved to the western edge of the city to the highest point insode the city walls. After buildings were damaged during the Thirty Years' War, the abbey church wa rebuilt. In 1770-1780 it was expanded to the Rococo style.
The monastery was dissolved in 1803. The church remained as a parish church. At the beginning of the fifth coalition war (1809) resided Napoléon Bonaparte for several days in the Prelature of the dissolved monastery. The 'Napoleon Room' still exists. In 1935 the Holy Cross Abbey returned to religious use.
References: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.