In the 13th century, the Gothic Vartenberk castle was built on the site of a guard castle to protect the Zittau Záhvožď trade route. The founder of the castle was probably Markvart of Březno.
In 1563 the castle was rebuilt as a Renaissance chateau which was visited even by Emperor Franz Joseph I. in 1865. In modern history, the chateau served as accommodation for holidaymakers, however, later on it was devastated by the Soviet army and on September 11 1987, it burned down.The chateau has not been fully repaired yet and isn’t accessible to the public. On the opposite side of Zámecký vrch hill there stands the Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk, which is connected to the chateau by linden alley. At the highest point of Zámecký vrch hill used to stand a cross. A Baroque sculpture of St. Norbert of Xanten and a Marian column with two angels by K. Steyer can be found below the castle. On the railings there are sculptures of four saints from 1726.
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.