The famine was caused by a number of factors including periods of drought, and the earlier eruption of Timanfaya between 1730 and 1736, which devastated most of the productive agricultural areas on the island.

On the landward side, the rear wall is protected by two small turrets, with a moat crossed by a lifting drawbridge leading to the main gateway.

[1] In the 1970s the fortress was renovated and the interior redesigned by the artist César Manrique, who was born nearby, to house a museum of modern art.

Beneath the museum, the annexe of the fort was renovated and converted into a restaurant, the two connected by a spiral staircase.

With curved floor to ceiling windows, the dining room has panoramic views overlooking the harbour and docks below.