Venetian Column, Nicosia

Standing at the center of Ataturk Square (Sarayonu), in the heart of North Nicosia's walled city, the Venetian Column is a striking historical monument that has witnessed centuries of power shifts, cultural overlays, and symbolic gestures. Made of granite and originally part of the Temple of Zeus in Salamis, the column was relocated to Nicosia in 1489 as a tribute to the Venetian takeover of Cyprus. Though often credited to Venetian craftsmanship, the column itself predates their rule, with its true origin rooted in classical antiquity.

Once re-erected in Nicosia, the Venetians adorned its base with the coats of arms of six noble families and crowned it with the Lion of Saint Mark-a bold symbol of their authority. However, this display of dominance was short-lived. When the Ottomans took control in 1570, they removed the lion and toppled the column, which lay in the courtyard of the Sarayonu Mosque for centuries.

In 1915, during British rule-and notably while the British were at war with the Ottoman Empire-the column was restored to its original location. Since the lion had been lost, a bronze globe was placed atop the column, and the pedestal was inscribed with the dates marking both its fall (1550) and resurrection (1915). This act transformed the column from a relic of Venetian dominance into a layered monument reflecting Cyprus's complex colonial past.

Surrounding the column today is a square steeped in history: the site once hosted raspberry groves during the Lusignan era and now includes remnants from the Ottoman and British periods, including a fountain and a ceremonial platform built for Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953. For anyone exploring the walled city, this landmark offers a compelling entry point into the island’s multifaceted heritage.