Following the Byzantine reconquest of the island, parts of the fortifications were deliberately demolished by order of Nikephoros Phokas, to neutralise their defensive function. Much of the structure, however, appears to have remained intact, and remnants survive today, incorporated into later phases. The defensive weaknesses of the older walls likely facilitated the Genoese capture of Chandax in 1206.

Immediately after the capture, the Venetians repaired the fortifications. Following the northern coastline, the walls embraced the harbour installations, which were linked to the city via the Mole Gate. The eastern front traced the rocky edge along Duke Beaufort Street, then turned westwards to form the Porta Aurea (or the “Beautiful Gate”). Midway along the southern front, aligned with today’s Daedalou and Chandakos Streets, the main gate -the Gate of the Forum or Castle Gate– opened, flanked by two quadrangular towers. The fortification was reinforced at intervals with square towers. A moat lay outside the enceinte. These walls, depicted in fifteenth-century maps, met the defensive needs of the city until the invention of firearms.”