Chateau de Foix

This castle towers proudly and impregnably above the town of the same name. In earlier centuries, it controlled the entrance to the Ariege Valley. In the rocks on which the castle was built there are extensive cave systems that were already inhabited in prehistoric times. Construction of the castle began in the 10th century. Until 1290, this castle was the residence of the Counts of Bearn and Foix. From 1209 to 1429, this castle was perhaps the main hiding place of the persecuted Cathars. What never succeeded before was a fact in 1272, the castle was taken by Philip the Bold in his crusade against the Albigensians. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the castle had only 2 square towers. It was not until the 15th century that the round tower was added. A solid wall was built around the entire castle. Until 1862 the castle was a prison, since 1950 it has been a departmental museum.

Wim Hak