[2] The Ottoman threat was reduced after the Catholic victory in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, and the fort's importance began to decline.

[3] Spain eventually lost Sicily in 1713, but invaded the island five years later during the War of the Quadruple Alliance.

During the invasion, the fort did not offer much resistance and was captured by the Spanish general Luca Spinola.

[2] During the Sicilian revolution of 1848, the fort was captured by rebels, who used it to bombard the Real Cittadella which was still in Bourbon hands.

[4] Forte Gonzaga saw use in World War II when it was used by German and Italian forces prior to the Allied invasion, and it was subsequently used by American forward observers to direct artillery fire during the invasion of Italy.