Lisbon, Portugal
11th century
Lisbon, Portugal
1514
Sintra, Portugal
8th century
Braga, Portugal
11th century
Guimarães, Portugal
10th century AD
Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal
1171
Porto, Portugal
1570
Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal
13th century
Caminha, Portugal
13th century
Ponte da Barca, Portugal
13th century
Melgaço, Portugal
1170
Viana do Castelo, Portugal
16th century
Caminha, Portugal
1640-1668
Melgaço, Portugal
9th century AD
Póvoa de Lanhoso, Portugal
11th century
Monção, Portugal
1306
Monção, Portugal
14th century
Celorico de Basto, Portugal
11th century
Ponte de Lima, Portugal
16th century
Barcelos, Portugal
10th 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.