Ledesma still has most of the granite wall which historically has surrounded the town. A large part of what is still standing was built in times of Fernando II of Leon, in the 12th century, but in the 15th century several parts of it were rebuilt with well-carved masonry. Many stone mason marks can be seen among these stones. Out of the eight doors it once had, the only one that is still preserved is the one called Puerta de los Mártires, de San Nicolás or Caldereros (Martyrs’, San Nicolás or Boilermakers’ door). Formed by two camber arches, it is flanked on either side by two cylinder towers.
The bailey of this castle-fortress was built on the south-west end of the walled area between the 13th and 14th centuries. Set on an irregular trapezoidal plan, it has two doors: one on the north, which features the town’s coat of arms, and one on the south, flanked by two large towers.
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.