Photo: The original uploader was LuckyLisp at Italian Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
- Type
- Fortress / Tower
- Period
- Renaissance, 1592
- Commissioned by
- Spanish Empire
- Protection
- Italian national heritage
- Coordinates
- 37°36′47″ N, 15°10′19″ E
- Address
- Via Tocco
History and description
The Fortezza del Tocco is a fort in Acireale, Sicily. It was built in the 16th century to defend the city from attacks by pirates.
History
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.
The Spanish (then the rulers of the Kingdom of Sicily) built the Fortezza del Tocco between 1592 and 1616. The fort was designed by Camillo Camilliani and Vincenzo Geremia. Other nearby fortifications that were also built around the same time as the Fortezza del Tocco include the Torre Alessandrano, the Torre di Sant'Anna and the Garitta di S. Tecla.
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.
Since 1999, the fort and the surrounding area have been a nature reserve. It is open to the public.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Fortezza del Tocco».
Timeline
- 1592Built
Events and people from Wikidata (CC0).
Photos
Getting there
AcirealeTrain, nearest
2.1 km as the crow flies
Fortezza del ToccoVia Tocco
Aeroporto di Catania Fontanarossa18.7 km
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore fortresses and towers in Sicily
- UNESCO
Frequently asked questions
Where is Fortezza del Tocco?
Fortezza del Tocco is in Acireale, in the province of Catania (Sicily), Italy. Address: Via Tocco. GPS coordinates: 37.61312, 15.17185.
How old is Fortezza del Tocco?
Wikidata dates it to 1592.
What else is there to see near Fortezza del Tocco?
Nearby you’ll find: Teatro Bellini (Acireale) (300 m away), Palazzo municipale (Acireale) (500 m away), Biblioteca e pinacoteca Zelantea (800 m away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 2 photos
- Fortezza del Tocco opera di Camilliani del XVI secolo Acireale — The original uploader was LuckyLisp at Italian Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0
- Riserva naturale orientata La Timpa 04 — Davide Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences