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Morosini Fountain
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · GR

Morosini Fountain

Getting around: In Lions Square (Plateia Venizelou), the central square of Heraklion; fully walkable, a natural landmark and meeting point in the city center.
Hours: Always open as a public fountain and square.

A Venetian fountain from 1628, named for the Venetian governor who commissioned it, decorated with lion figures that give the surrounding square its common name (Lions Square). It served a practical purpose in its day, providing the city's water supply via an aqueduct from nearby mountains, in addition to its decorative role.

It's a small landmark rather than a major sight, but it functions as the de facto center of Heraklion — cafes ring the square, and it's a natural starting point for exploring the city's pedestrian streets, including nearby Daidalou.

Most visitors see it in passing rather than as a dedicated stop, pausing briefly for a photo before continuing on.

Morosini Fountain FAQs

Why is it called Lions Square?

After the lion figures carved into the Morosini Fountain at its center, a Venetian-era landmark that gave the square its common nickname.

Did the fountain have a practical use historically?

Yes, it supplied the city with water via an aqueduct from nearby mountains, in addition to its decorative fountain design.

Is there a fee to see it?

No, it's a public square and fountain, freely accessible at any time.

Is it a good meeting point in Heraklion?

Yes, it's centrally located and widely known, making it a common and easy-to-find meeting spot.

What else is nearby?

Daidalou Street and several of Heraklion's main pedestrian shopping and dining streets radiate out from the square.

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