In the middle of Saray Square is a grey granite column, known as the Venetian Column. It originally came from the temple of Jupiter in the ruins of the city of Salamis, Famagusta. In 1489 the Venetians brought it to Nicosia, placing the Lion of St Mark high above the pillar. At the base of the structure you can admire beautiful carvings of the historic Venetian Coats of Arms representing noble families. The Ottomans removed the symbolic lion and knocked down the column in 1570, while in 1915 the British repositioned the pillar in its present location, placing a copper globe on the crest.