The Venetian basilica of Saint Mark stands at the corner of Lions Square, directly across from the Morosini Fountain. Built in the 14th century and dedicated to the patron saint of Venice, it served as the seat of the Latin church in Crete throughout the Venetian period. After the Ottoman conquest in 1669 it became a mosque, and after Cretan independence it was used as a cinema, a warehouse, and eventually a municipal exhibition hall — its current function.
The exterior retains the Gothic arcade along its southern facade, one of the most recognizable pieces of Venetian architecture in Iraklion. Inside, the space has been cleared and adapted for temporary art exhibitions; the city uses it for shows that rotate through the year. Entry is usually free. Even when there is no exhibition, the building is worth a look for the medieval nave and the arched windows.