After the
Battle of Lepanto in 1571, the
Barbary pirates continued to raid the Sicilian coastline. In 1582,
Uluç Ali attempted to raid Acireale. Although the raid was unsuccessful, the population were afraid of further attacks and began fortifying the area. Some modifications were made to the fort in the early 17th century. It repelled a French attack in 1675. The fort lost its importance and was decommissioned in the 19th century. Its last guns were removed in 1834, and were taken to the Pinacoteca Zelantea de Acireale, where they remain today. ==References==