The construction of the fort was commissioned by Carlo Emanuele I in 1590, to avert the threat of the French troops of the Duke of Lesdiguières on the Stura Valley, occupied by the Savoy troops during the conquest of the marquisate of Saluzzo. The works were entrusted to Milanese engineer Gabrio Busca and the essential lines were completed in 1592.
As of 1733, under the direction of Ignazio Bertola, the complex underwent radical modernisation work, involving both the fortifications and the logistic buildings.
Following the siege of 1744 and partial destruction by the French, the fortress underwent extensive work once again, lasting over thirty years. These operations were directed by engineer Lorenzo Bernardino Pinto di Barri and completed in the 1870s. Having reached its maximum efficiency, the fort was involved, albeit not directly, in the operations of the war of the Alps between 1792 and 1796.
The peace of Paris on 15 May 1796 marked the end of the great fortress, which was demolished with mines between 1796 and 1798. The hill on which the fort was built is now characterised by the grand ruins of the work, which can be visited by contacting the tourist office of the Municipality of Demonte.
