Morosini Fountain

Overview

The Morosini Fountain (Lions Fountain) is a 17th-century Venetian masterpiece and the iconic symbol of Heraklion. Positioned at the center of Lion Square, it features four carved stone lions supporting a large basin, with intricate relief panels depicting figures from Greek mythology and marine scenes.

Highlights

• Stone Lions: Four lions forming the base, each remarkably well-preserved after nearly 400 years.
• Relief Panels: Eight lobes on the basin depict dolphins, tritons, nymphs, and coats of arms of Venetian noble families.
• Water Feature: The fountain still flows, supplied by the same aqueduct route originally engineered in the 1620s.

History

The fountain was commissioned by Francesco Morosini, the Venetian governor of Crete, and completed in 1628. It marked the terminus of a 15-km aqueduct from Mount Giouchtas that brought the first reliable running water to Candia. The lions are believed to have been salvaged from an earlier 14th-century fountain.

Visitor Tips

• Photo tip: The fountain is most photogenic in early morning light before the square fills with café umbrellas.
• Night illumination: Beautifully lit after dark — worth a return visit in the evening.
• Duration: 10–15 minutes.