Not Venetian at all
In the centre of Ataturk square, locally known as Sarayonu, is the Venetian Column.
The column was moved from its original spot in 1489, the temple of Zeus in Salamis to Nicosia, as a tribute to Venetian rule in Cyprus. Consequently, the column is frequently and incorrectly attributed to the Venetians.
On top of the granite column was the Lion of St. Mark to symbolise Venetian dominance, and at the bottom, the coats of arms of six noble Venetian families.
The Ottomans removed the lion and toppled the column in 1550, leaving it in the courtyard of the Sarayonu Mosque.
In 1915, while at war with the Ottoman empire, the column was re-erected by the British. They replaced the lost St. Mark lion with a bronze orb and decorated the plinth with the dates of the demolishing and re-erection, 1550 and 1915.
The place where the Venetian Column stands today was occupied by raspberry trees when the Lusignan Palace was constructed.
Any visitor to the walled city will pass this monument which can make a creative photo for your social media posts!
In the northern part of the square, at the corner of the Law Courts there is also a fountain built during the Ottoman period, and a platform with British markings. The platform was constructed to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953, the announcement to Cyprus made from this platform.
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