The Lions Square description and photos - Greece: Heraklion (Crete) (Topic)

The Lions Square description and photos - Greece: Heraklion (Crete). Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is The Lions Square.

Photo and description

Lion's Square is located in the heart of Heraklion city. Officially, it bears the name "Eleftherios Venizelos Square" in honor of the famous Greek politician, but this name did not catch on with the locals. Lion Square is the busiest and one of the most important parts of the city; life here rages 24 hours a day.

The highlight of the square is the famous Venetian Morosini fountain, built in the 17th century. Since there were no springs in Heraklion, the inhabitants used wells and rainwater. The construction of this fountain made it possible to solve the problem of providing the city with drinking water (up to 1000 barrels per day). The water supply was organized through a 15-kilometer aqueduct from a spring in the Yukhtas mountains. The work lasted 14 months and on April 25, 1628, on the day of St. Mark (patron saint of Venice), the fountain was open.

The fountain pool stands on a round base and has the shape of an eight-petal flower. In the center, on a pedestal, sit four marble lions, water flows out of their mouths. Previously, the top of the fountain housed a marble statue of Poseidon with a trident (a masterpiece by a local artist), but unfortunately it has not survived to this day. The pool of the fountain is decorated with sculptural compositions with scenes from Greek mythology. Once on the site of the fountain there was a Roman sculpture of Neptune.

Historical sources claim that during the Arab rule (9-10 centuries), Lion's Square was the largest slave market in the eastern Mediterranean. In the Byzantine period (10-13 centuries), the residence of the Byzantine ruler of Heraklion was located here. In the 13-17 centuries, the square was occupied by the Palazzo Ducale, in which the Venetian duke and his two advisers decided the fate of Heraklion and its inhabitants. There was a granary opposite the palace. After the conquest of the island by the Turks, the Vizier and his retinue were housed in the Palazzo Ducale.

Today, the square houses many cozy cafes and restaurants where you can have a great rest. And many shops and souvenir shops will delight guests of the city with interesting shopping.

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Topic: The Lions Square description and photos - Greece: Heraklion (Crete).