The bastions have served a variety of purposes over the course of time. Under Venetian rule they were built and used to defend the city, whereas in the short-lived Cretan Independent State, foreign troops were garrisoned on them.

In recent years the entire enceinte has been restored and given a new image, closely associated with a range of leisure activities. Parks, theatre and concert venues and footpaths have been created to encourage today's residents to better identify with the monument.