The Minoan Palace of Knossos

--- More photos --- The picture of the Palace Northern entrance Northern entrance in detail Qeen's bedroom with dalphins and frescoes View of the throne hall from the central yard Frescoes copies Frescoes copies Frescoes copies Upper light among the columns

  The Minoan Palace of Knossos lies at a distance of 5 km from the town centre of Iraklion along the road to Archanes. Knossos was the most impressive and luxurious building that someone could see all over Europe during Bronze Age (2800-1100 BC). The imposing Palace is built on the hill of "Kefala" next to the river "Kairatos", in a site which was admired for its natural advantages, the strong position, good water supplies, access to the sea and proximity to a large fertile forest. The site itself includes the Palace of Knossos, The Minoan Houses, the "Little Palace", the "Royal Villa", the villa "Dionysos" with famous Roman mosaics, the south Royal Temple - Tomb and the "Caravanserai".

   Excavations showed that the area was inhabited since the Neolithic times and verified that the Neolithic levels of Knossos are amongst the deepest in Europe. The first Palace was built around 2000 BC and destroyed 300 years later. On the same site a new Palace was built, more elaborate than the previous, only to be severely damaged from an earthquake one hundred years latter. During this period a series of satellite buildings like the "Little Palace", the "Royal Villa" and the "South House" were developed.

  The Palace now lives and prospers until the next disaster of around 1450 BC connected to the volcanic eruption of Santorini. Following this event, it is restored once more and used by the Achaean sovereign until at least 1380 BC although other city states in Crete had already been destroyed. After its final destruction the palace was not used again except for the "temple of Rhea" in later historical times.

more information and photos >>>

  For season 2006 we are going to collaborate with more hotels on Crete.

  Most luxury hotels in Crete (Greece):

  Kalimera Kriti | Elounda Beach Please note that we make discounts for our permanent clients. (10-20%)

Click here to check the weather in Greece.