The castle of Bovino was built by the Norman Count Drogone and later expanded by Frederick II, and in the 1600s it was transformed into a noble residence by the dukes of Guevara. Currently inhabited by the descendants of the Guevara family, in the past it was one of the most beautiful patrician residences in the South of Italy.
The Norman tower exists and is supported by a massive barbacane, in pyramidal shape. The construction is still retains good, between rocks and walls that partly retain vestiges of roman and hanging gardens. The castle stands on a rocky spur and overlooks the whole valley, famous for the raids of the bandits who, until the advent of united Italy, took to assaulting and plundering caravans and coaches that, from the Campania Region, to reach the Adriatic coast, were forced to pass through this narrow and dangerous throat between the mountains. The rooms of the Palazzo Ducale offer the visitor the possibility to appreciate the rich decor and visit the small but charming private chapel with majolica floor, where there is preserved a fragment of Sacred Plug, nestled in a cross of admirable workmanship, together with many relics of saints including a particle of purpura of Jesus Christ.
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.