Venice was obliged to ,return Preveza to the Ottoman Empire in 1701 after destroying its fort (Castle of Bouka). Immediately after the town’s return, the Ottomans decided to build a new fort to protect this strategic location. They selected a small hill north of Preveza. The site was known as “at the cypress,” probably due to the presence of a large cypress. The architects designed a large fortification that took advantage of the elevated ground with the addition of stone facades at two key bastions. The fort was completed in twelve months and covered an area of 15 acres. The Venetians thought the construction weak and had little difficulty conquering it in 1717.