Venetian Loggia
Venetian Loggia 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 historic
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Heraklion Heraklion guide
About Venetian Loggia
A graceful two-tier arcade of Doric and Ionic columns that served as Venetian Candia's club for the ruling class, and still houses part of the city's town hall today.
The Venetian Loggia stands at the start of 25 Avgoustou Street, a short way north of Lions Square, and today houses part of Heraklion's town hall. The surviving building is the fourth loggia raised in the city, erected around 1628 under the General Provveditore Francesco Morosini. A two-storey rectangle of about 28 by 11 metres, it carries Doric columns on the ground floor and Ionic columns above, with seven arches along its west side, and is considered a representative example of Palladian architecture said to echo the Basilica Palladiana in Vicenza.
Under Venetian rule the loggia served as the meeting place of the rulers and nobility, who gathered to discuss economic, commercial and political affairs. After the Ottoman conquest it became the seat of the Defterdar, the chief financial officer, and was joined to the neighbouring armoury. Its restoration was completed in 1980 and won a Europa Nostra prize in 1987.
Did you know? The building you see is the fourth loggia the city put up. The earlier three were lost or made obsolete over time, so Candia kept rebuilding its nobles' meeting hall until this one finally stuck.
How long should you spend at Venetian Loggia?
Plan about ~30 min at Venetian Loggia. 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 Venetian Loggia worth visiting?
Venetian Loggia 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 1 of the Heraklion in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Venetian Loggia
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