The fortress was built by the "Kapudan Pasha" Uluç Ali Reis in 1572/3, shortly after the Battle of Lepanto. In 1645, Navarino was used as a base for the invasion of Crete during the opening stages of the Cretan War. During the Morean War, the Republic of Venice under Francesco Morosini captured both fortresses at Navarino in 1686, defended by Mustafa Pasha and Djafer Pasha respectively. Along with the rest of the Peloponnese, the fortresses remained in Venetian hands until 1715, when the Ottomans recaptured the entire peninsula.