in the next one hundred years, during the political uncertainties that came with the transition of brazil from portuguese colony to autonomous empire, the fort was first disarmed and then later reinforced and renamed forte do pico in honor of the hill on which it is located.

in 1913, modernization of the compound began, completed in 1918 with a new section partially excavated from the rock at its highest point and the addition of 280 millimeter german howitzer cannons.

the fort was used as a base of action against various riots and revolts, but by the 1960s its armaments were considered obsolete and the fort was deactivated as a military installation.