Venice, Italy
9th century
Venice, Italy
1063-1093
Venice, Italy
1340
Rome, Italy
72-80 AD
Vatican, Vatican City State
1477
Vatican, Vatican City State
1506-1626
Rome, Italy
126 AD
Vatican, Vatican City State
1471-1605
Rome, Italy
8th century BC
Rome, Italy
134-139
Vatican, Vatican City State
1475
Verona, Italy
c. 30 AD
Turin, Italy
14th century
Vernazza, Italy
11th century
Ercolano, Italy
7th century BCE
Verona, Italy
c. 1329
Turin, Italy
1679
Riomaggiore, Italy
13th century
Rome, Italy
432 AD
Pompei, Italy
7th century BCE
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.