 In 1169, Aci Castello started to expand after an eruption of Mount Etna made the towns in its vicinity uninhabitable.The castle later became the property of the bishops of Catania.In 1296, Roger of Lauria, admiral of the Aragonese fleet during the War of the Sicilian Vespers, was granted the fief of Aci and its castle as a reward for his faithful service to King Frederick III of Sicily.