Naples, Italy
1st century BCE
Arellano, Spain
1st century AD
Trier, Germany
100-200 AD
Bacoli, Italy
27 BCE - 14 AD
Silistra, Bulgaria
106 AD
Syracuse, Italy
1st century AD
Devnya, Bulgaria
3rd century AD
Vienne, France
100-200 AD
Barletta, Italy
6th century BCE
Habay, Belgium
2nd century AD
Noto, Italy
4th century AD
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
101-106 AD
Aosta, Italy
25 BC
Villanueva del Río y Minas, Spain
1st century BCE
Venosa, Italy
c. 100 AD
Alderney, United Kingdom
4th century AD
Svishtov, Bulgaria
1st century AD
Ronda, Spain
45 BCE
Echternach, Luxembourg
0-200 AD
Rome, Italy
306-312
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.