La fuente Bembo

Bembo Fountain

Next to the sebil, the monumental Bembo Fountain is preserved in good condition. It is named after the Venetian Provveditor General (governor) of Heraklion Gianmatteo Bembo, who built it in 1552-54. It was the first time that the people of Heraklion saw running water in the city, showing how important the fountain was.

The fountain consists of a spout and a small, rectangular basin. Over the spout is set the headless statue of a Roman official from the Ierapetra area in southeast Crete, while the whole monument is decorated with Venetian family coats of arms.