Fužine Castle is Ljubljana's has retained its original Renaissance character. It was built by a crossing point over the Ljubljanica river's rapids between 1528 and 1557 on commission from the wealthy local merchants Veit Khisl and Hans Weilhaimer, the former of whom served several terms of office as Mayor of Ljubljana. A defence tower was built in each of the four corners of the castle building and another one over the entrance, which is accessible via a stone bridge across the moat surrounding the castle. Inside the castle there are remains of Renaissance and Baroque wall paintings, and on the wooden ceiling of the castle chapel a fragment of a ceiling painting.
During its history the castle has housed an iron smelting works, a smithy, a glassworks and a paper pulping mill, and served as ancillary premises of a power plant. Since 1992, when it was thoroughly renovated by the architect Peter Gabrijelčič, it has been occupied by the Museum of Architecture and Design.
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.