Milan, Italy
1386
Milan, Italy
1865-1877
Milan, Italy
13th century
Milan, Italy
14th century
Milan, Italy
1778
Milan, Italy
1776
Milan, Italy
c. 364 AD
Milan, Italy
300-400 AD
Milan, Italy
c. 1080 AD
Milan, Italy
1463
Milan, Italy
1807-1838
Milan, Italy
1609
Milan, Italy
4th century AD
Milan, Italy
1866
Milan, Italy
3th 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.