It is fitting, perhaps, for a city as historical as Heraklion that its town hall should be a magisterial Venetian-era meeting place. And so it is with the Heraklion Loggia, a stunning old monument with an ornate exterior and a pleasant arcade. Admire this impressive public building from both the outside and the inside.
The loggia was built during the 17th century, when Heraklion was ruled by the Venetians. In 1915, careful restoration began and by the end of World War II the building had been restored more or less to its former splendour. Now the loggia is in good condition and stands proudly in the centre of town as the finest Venetian structure in all of Crete.
As you approach the building, take note of its elegant exterior. A classical rectangular shape is complemented with a gorgeous set of columns and arches, making for a particularly fetching vision under soft lighting at night. Appreciate the detailed stonework and the square corner columns, features which mark the architectural style as Venetian. It was architect Francesco Morosini who designed the loggia in the 1620s, the fourth one to be built under Venetian rule.
Head into the loggia’s grand arcade and take a trip back in time, imagining this lovely space when it was populated by Venetian noblemen. The loggia was originally used as a centre for economic and commercial decisions to be made, and heralds used its balconies to announce the state’s decrees, but it was also a favourite place for noblemen and rulers to relax and socialise.
While inside, inspect the walls to find reliefs of lions and coats of arms engraved into the stonework. Take note of the difference in style between the upper and lower floors: the ground floor was designed in the Doric style, whereas the smaller enclosed arches of the upper floor make it an example of the Ionic style.
The Heraklion Loggia is open daily, and entry is free. Access to certain parts of the building may be restricted, since the city’s working town hall is based there. The loggia is located on 25th of August Street beside the Armeria.
