Heraklion Morosini Lions Fountain

Location: Town

The Venetian Morosini Lions Fountain was constructed in 1629 and it is one of the most important monuments in the city of Heraklion.
It is located in the city centre on Lions (or Eleftheriou Venizelou) Square.

It was constructed by Francesco Morosini due to the fact that the town was in urgent need of water supplies.
In addition to the lions, the fountain is decorated with Venetian coats of arms and sculptures inspired by mythology and the sea world.

It is also believed that a very tall statue of Poseidon was placed above the lions but there’s no information as to whether it was later removed or destroyed.
The shape of the fountain was function-oriented, allowing multiple people to get water at the same time.

During the Ottoman occupation of Crete, a big part of the fountain was reconstructed and the sculptures were destroyed.
Years later, however, the fountain was rebuilt according to its original design.

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