The Lion of Saint Mark in Frangokastello, Crete

Der Markuslöwe in Frangokastello, Kreta

During the Venetian rule in Crete (1204–1669) between 1371 und 1374 the holders of power built a fort on the southern side of the island in order to defend Venetian interests in the area. After the ottoman conquest the fort became derelict; nowadays only the outer walls are visible. The Lion of Saint Mark, the symbol of the Republic of Venice, is still well-preserved over the southern portal

Lion of Saint Mark, the symbol of the Republic of Venice, at Frangokastello, Dimos Sfakia, Nomos Chania, Crete, Greece (a one-time possession by Venice), colour photography, 2007, photograph: Olaf Tausch; source: Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Some Rights Reserved Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.