Oviedo, Spain
790s AD
Oviedo, Spain
781 AD
Oviedo, Spain
9th century AD
Oviedo, Spain
761 AD
Oviedo, Spain
848 AD
Oviedo, Spain
9th century AD
Oviedo, Spain
c. 830 AD
Villaviciosa, Spain
893 AD
Oviedo, Spain
842 AD
Cangas de Onís, Spain
737 AD
Lena, Spain
852 AD
Bendones, Spain
792-842 AD
Les Regueres, Spain
9th century AD
Villaviciosa, Spain
921 AD
Pravia, Spain
774-783 AD
Tuñón, Spain
891 AD
Colunga, Spain
9th 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.