Morosini Fountain, also called Liontaria or Lions Square, is a Venetian-era landmark in Eleftherios Venizelos Square in Heraklion’s old town. Built in 1628, it once brought drinking water to the city through an aqueduct from the Archanes area. Look closely at the four seated lions, the eight-lobed basin and the carved sea creatures, mythological figures and Venetian coats of arms. The square is also a place to pause for coffee, browse nearby shops or watch everyday life in the city centre.
A Venetian water supply
Francesco Morosini commissioned the fountain in 1628, during Venetian rule. It marked the arrival of water carried to Heraklion from the Archanes area through an aqueduct system. The project addressed the city’s need for a dependable water supply, and the fountain became a central public source.
The aqueduct is described as about 15 kilometres long. Water reached the city by following the land’s natural slope. The fountain supplied residents for centuries, until 1927.
Lions, basins and carved figures
Four seated lions support the fountain’s central bowl. The lions are older than the structure and were reused from an earlier monument. They became a symbol of Venetian power; each faces a different direction.
The surrounding basin has eight lobes. Stone reliefs show figures from Greek mythology, including nymphs and tritons, alongside dolphins and other sea creatures. Venetian coats of arms are carved into the marble. A statue of Poseidon once stood above the fountain, but it is no longer there.
The square today
The fountain stands in Eleftherios Venizelos Square, known locally as Lions Square, at the centre of Heraklion’s old town. Nearby landmarks include the Venetian Loggia and the Basilica of Saint Mark. Streets leading away from the square connect to shops and other parts of the historic centre.
The square remains a meeting place, with cafes, restaurants and shops around it. A seat at a nearby cafe gives you time to look over the carving and watch people cross the square. The fountain can be dry, so its stonework is the main reason to stop.
Preguntas frecuentes
Where is the Morosini Fountain?
It is in Eleftherios Venizelos Square, also called Lions Square, in the centre of Heraklion’s old town.
When was the Morosini Fountain built?
It was built in 1628 during Venetian rule, under Francesco Morosini.
What should I look for at the fountain?
Notice the four seated lions, the eight-lobed basin, the Venetian coats of arms and the reliefs of mythological and sea figures.
How long do you need at the Morosini Fountain?
Allow about 15 to 30 minutes to look around the fountain and square. You can stay longer at one of the nearby cafes.
