The tower, originally called the Harbour Citadel, was constructed around a central oblong courtyard with a square tower at each corner. The kitchens, great hall, store rooms and servants quarters were on the ground floor, reception rooms and bedrooms were on the second.
When the Venetians took over the city, the Citadel was completely re-modelled, and turned into a military stronghold. By removing the first floor and bringing the level of the building into line with the encircling walls, they ensured that it was not visible from outside the city in the event of an attack. The depth of the walls was increased and round towers replaced the square ones. There is a relief carving of the Lion of St. Mark, the symbol of Venice, over the entrance way and the name of Nicolo Foscarini, the Prefect of Cyprus in 1492. The citadel was then renamed after Giovanni San Michele, the Venetian civil engineer who was responsible for remodelling much of the city.
Access is possible into the round towers, where smoke holes and gun ports are clearly visible. Architecturally, the most interesting part of the tower is the Great Hall, measuring 92ft by 25ft it is a room to compete with the refectory at Bellapais Abbey. Though not constructed of such fine ashlar blocks, it has similar dimensions, but the rougher stone would have been plastered. The wooden pegs from which would have hung decorative tapestries and banners can still be seen inserted into the walls.
There is a fine view of Famagusta from the top of the tower over the city, with the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque dominating the centre.