From the XV to the XVIII Century
Vigo continued to grow despite repeated pirate attacks during this time. Craftsmanship and trade gained in importance but the most important industry was sardine fishing.
In 1585 the English buccaneer Sir Francis Drake attacked Vigo, but faced with local opposition failed to take the city. Four years later he returned, however, destroying and burning everything in his path.
The ship-owners of the city became organized to defend it and were granted permission by the crown to plunder enemy commercial vessels.
In 1617 Turkish pirates tried to attack the city but were driven out by the locals. Due to these frequent attacks from the sea the walls of the city and San Sebastián castle were built in 1656.
The Battle of Rande in 1702 is considered one of the most important events in the history of Vigo. An Anglo-Dutch fleet chased the Spanish Flota de la Plata into the bay and French warships escorted it. The Spanish fleet, which had brought much wealth from the Americas, was destroyed after a bloody battle at sea and on land. The English took several ships with treasure but the rest sunk in flames and are thought to be lying at the bottom of the sea near San Simón Island.
In 1778 Carlos III broke the monopoly of ports that were authorized to trade with America and so Vigo began to reap the benefits of large vessel traffic. At this time the city was completely surrounded by a wall which had been built during the Portuguese Restoration War to protect it in case of invasion. On one side near the sea was the bastion of Laxe and on the other, San Sebastián castle. There were seven gates in the wall - Falperra, Berbés, el Mar, Laxe, Gamboa, Sol and Placer.
The mid-18th century saw the arrival of Catalonian traders and businessmen and this was to bring about a minor economic revolution. Many factories were set up processing linen and leather, manufacturing soap and salting fish.