Palma, Spain
14th century
Palma, Spain
1229
Palma, Spain
1300-1311
Escorca, Spain
13th century
Capdepera, Spain
c. 1300
Deià, Spain
1928
Felanitx, Spain
1348
Alaró, Spain
15th century
Felanitx, Spain
14th century
Artà, Spain
900-800 BCE
Llucmajor, Spain
1100 BC
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.