Funchal's first fortress built in the years 1529 to 1540 after a ship, moored in the harbour had been pillaged. However the construction was not really sufficient for all defence needs and consequently it succumbed easily to the attacks of French pirates in 1566. In the years up to the 19th century, many improvements and extensions to the original construction were made so that the Palacio de Sao Lourenco has survived until today, and now serves as the residence of the Prime Minister and the Military Command of Madeira.