On the eastern edge of the Pyrenees, the bordering mountains between France and Spain, you find Montségur on a steep, rocky hill. The word Montségur means ‘protecting mountain’. On the top there are the ruins of probably the best known Cathar castle. During the crusades against Mary Magdalene’s descendants, the Catharians, the castle was frequently attacked. Particularly worth mentioning is the year 1243, when 10,000 crusaders occupied the fortress for 10 months. The Catharians were starved and forced to either renounce their faith, or suffer death at the stake. 225 Catharians, including their bishop, were burnt because they had not submitted themselves to the Catholic belief. Only a few managed to escape, but were eventually also killed.