Lions Square (Eleftherios Venizelos Square)
Lions Square (Eleftherios Venizelos Square) is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Heraklion audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~30 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type square
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Heraklion Heraklion guide
About Lions Square (Eleftherios Venizelos Square)
Nobody uses its official name. This is the lions, the social heart of the old town, where four marble beasts pour water and every street seems to meet.
Lions Square is the popular name for Eleftheriou Venizelou Square, named after the Cretan statesman Eleftherios Venizelos but universally known for the four lions of the Morosini Fountain that stands at its centre. Dating back to the Venetian era, it is the social heart of Heraklion's old town and the point where its main streets meet: the Loggia and 25 Avgoustou Street run north toward the Venetian harbour, while the market street leads south toward the Bembo Fountain.
On the square stands the church of Agios Markos, or St Mark's, a former Roman Catholic basilica built in 1239 under Venetian rule. After the Ottoman conquest of 1669 it was converted into the Defterdar Ahmet Pasha Mosque and served as a mosque until 1915. Restored after 1956, it now houses the municipal art gallery.
Did you know? The square's official name honours the Cretan statesman Eleftherios Venizelos, yet his statue stands in a completely different square across town. Almost everyone ignores the formal name and simply calls the place the lions.
How long should you spend at Lions Square (Eleftherios Venizelos Square)?
Plan about ~30 min at Lions Square (Eleftherios Venizelos Square). That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Lions Square (Eleftherios Venizelos Square) worth visiting?
Lions Square (Eleftherios Venizelos Square) is one of the 20 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Heraklion, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Heraklion
Day 2 of the Heraklion in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Lions Square (Eleftherios Venizelos Square)
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