During the Great Siege between the Ottomans and the Maltese, assistance sent by the Viceroy of Sicily arrived in Malta under the leadership of Juan de Cardona on 2 July 1565. This relief force, or as it is known the Piccolo Soccorso, arrived in Birgu before dawn on 3 July.

Later, on September 7, another group arrived, one which became known as the Gran Soccorso. The latter was instrumental in changing the tide of the Great Siege, so much so that by the 8th of  September, the Siege was lifted and the Turks began to retreat.