Venetian Loggia — Attraction in Municipality of Heraklion

The elegant building of the Loggia is one of the finest monuments of Venetian Crete.

The Loggia (noblemen's club) now standing in Heraklion was constructed in 1626-28 by Francesco Morosini, the same man who built the Lions Fountain (Fontana Morosini) in Eleftheriou Venizelou Square. This is the fourth and final Loggia built during the period of Venetian rule. Very little information is available on the first three, so we do not really know what they looked like.

According to historical sources, the first Loggia of Heraklion was by the sea, exposed to winter storms and gales.

In 1325 the nobles of Chandax applied to Venice for a grant of land away from the sea to build a new Loggia. The application was approved and the second Loggia was built opposite today's building.

The third Loggia was built in 1541 on the site occupied by the present building, but it was smaller.

The fourth and final Loggia was built in 1626-1628.

Venetian political and social customs demanded the construction of a public building in Heraklion, as a meeting-place for the nobles, rulers and feudal lords, where economic and commercial decisions were made. It was also a place for them to relax, something like an...

Wish they would build buildings like this today....

Constructed between 1626 and 1628 by the Venetian Provveditore Generale Francesco Morosini, the same benefactor who gifted the city its iconic fountain in the adjacent square, the Loggia was the fourth and final one built during the Venetian rule in Candia (modern-day Heraklion). Designed in the Palladian style, it is considered one of the most distinguished Venetian...

A beautiful example of Venetian architecture in the city center. The structure features Doric columns on the ground floor and Ionic columns on the upper floor, reflecting the elegance of Palladian design. Originally used by Venetian nobles as a meeting hall, today it functions as the city hall. Just a few steps from the Liontaria Fountain—definitely worth stopping by for its history, style, and...