"Santrivani", the Plateau of Mavrovounio -as it was called when Crete was an independent State, (today the plateau El. Venizelos), despite its small size it has been the most popular plateau, a central place and meeting point for the people of Chania who gathered there to discuss and socialize. It was marble-paved, with cafeterias, hotels, social clubs and modern stores. It is named after a large fountain, decorated with lion heads. Part of the fountain is hosted in the Archeological Museum of Chania.

On the north side of "Santrivani" there used to be buildings that were later destroyed during the 1932 fire, and in this way, a front to the sea was created. There were two passages, a narrow passage for the pedestrians on the northeast side, through an arcade shaped by the buildings, and a wider passage for the carriages and carts.  

Today, there is a modern marble fountain at the plateau.