The Loggia is considered as one of the most stunning monuments of Venetian Crete. It was built in 1628 by the Provveditore Generale Francesco Morosini to serve as a meeting place for members of the aristocracy. The two-storey building is decorated with Doric columns on the ground floor and Ionic columns on the first floor. Its exterior decorating elements are also particularly elaborate, featuring a frieze in the upper part of the ground floor with a variety of bas-relief representations such as the Lion of Saint Mark, trophies, armours and more. Following the occupation of Crete by the Ottomans in September 1669, the Loggia, together with the Armeria building, were used as the seat of Defterdaris, who was the Ottoman official in charge of the economic management of the island. During the interwar period the building housed Services of Heraklion Municipality. At present, the Loggia is housing the Town Hall of Heraklion.