Venetian Column: A Timeless Nicosia Landmark

Standing in the heart of North Nicosia's Atatürk Square (Sarayönü), the Venetian Column is a striking monument that has witnessed centuries of shifting powers and cultural influences. Despite its name, the column's origins predate the Venetian era. It was initially part of the Temple of Zeus in Salamis and was moved to Nicosia in 1489 by the Venetians as a tribute to their rule over Cyprus.During the Venetian period, the column was topped with the Lion of St. Mark, a symbol of Venetian dominance, and its base was decorated with the coats of arms of six noble Venetian families. However, in 1570, the Ottomans conquered Cyprus, removing the lion and toppling the column. For centuries, it lay in the courtyard of the Sarayönü Mosque.In 1915, during British rule, the column was re-erected. The British replaced the lost lion with a bronze orb and inscribed the pedestal with the dates of its fall (1550) and resurrection (1915). Today, the Venetian Column stands as a symbol of Nicosia's resilience and blend of cultures, surrounded by remnants of Ottoman and British rule, including a fountain and a platform used for Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1953.