The St. George Barracks were built by the Venetians in the 16th century to quarter approximately 700 soldiers, but were later destroyed by an earthquake. In 1883 they were replaced by a Turkish building serving the same purpose, known as the Kichiliades (from the Turkish kisla = "barracks"). The three distinct sections now used originally formed an unbroken building complex. The portal taken from the Franciscan Friary Church was immured in the north side, around the main entrance.