In the 15th century, the marriage of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella of Castile united two kingdoms on the Iberian Peninsula. Also known as the Catholic Monarchs, their union created one of the largest empires of the Modern Era. Their dynasty included parts of Italy and France, reaching as far as the Corbières region. To protect the narrow passage between Spain and France, the Forteresse de Salses was built in the village of Salses-le-Château. Since then, the castle has changed hands- and countries- to ultimately become French in 1659.
