Fortezza del Tocco: a 16th-century fortress in Acireale

Fortezza del Tocco is a fortress in Acireale, Sicily, built between 1592 and 1616 to protect the city from pirate attacks. The fort's role as a defensive bulwark is long over, and it has been part of a nature reserve since 1999. It remains open to the public today.

The Spanish built Fortezza del Tocco following the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, when Barbary pirates continued to raid the Sicilian coastline. In 1582, a pirate named Uluç Ali attempted to raid Acireale. Although the raid was unsuccessful, the local population was afraid of further attacks and began fortifying the area.

Designed by Camillo Camilliani and Vincenzo Geremia, the fort underwent modifications in the early 17th century and repelled a French attack in 1675. The fort lost its importance in the 19th century. Its last guns were removed in 1834 and are now kept in the Pinacoteca Zelantea de Acireale.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons