Church of Santa Maria de Arbas is a good example of late León romanesque, built during the 12th and 13th centuries. It once belonged to the regular order of Saint Agustin. The church has three naves and four pillars supporting the round arches that separate the naves.
It was officially founded in the 12th century by the Count Fruela, El Cid's brother in law.It was ruled as a Colegiata (Collegiate Church) and a Hospedería (Hostelry) by the Augustine monks.As a result of its decline, it became a simple parish church. It was restored after the Civil War. The building consists of fine grey limestone blocks. The gothic chapel was added later, in the 12th century. The sacristy, the tower, the portico and the vaulting of the main nave date from the 17th century.
References: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.