Venetian Column

In the middle of Ataturk Square, the Venetian Column sits as the main tourist attraction in the region. The column was moved from its original location in 1489 AD, the Temple of Zeus in Salamis, to Nicosia, as a tribute to the Venetian rule in Cyprus. Thus, the column is repeatedly and incorrectly attributed to Venice. On top of the granite column was the lion of St. Mark, symbolizing Venetian dominance, and at the bottom, there were the coats of arms of the noble Venetian families.