Bratislava, Slovakia
14th century
Bratislava, Slovakia
1868
Bratislava, Slovakia
9th century AD
Bratislava, Slovakia
1452
Devín, Slovakia
9th century AD
Bratislava, Slovakia
1760
Bratislava, Slovakia
1907-1908
Bratislava, Slovakia
1957-1960
Rusovce, Slovakia
100-200 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.