The Minoan Palaces of Crete

• Knossos

Knossos, the famous Minoan Palace lies 5 kilometres southeast of Heraklion. Knossos was the seat of the legendary King Minos and the main centre of power in Crete. The Palace of Knossos is the monumental symbol of Minoan civilisation, due to its construction, use of luxury materials, architectural style, beautiful frescoes, advanced building techniques and impressive size. Knossos Palace, the legend has it, was also home to the Minotaur the mythical creature with a bull’s head and a human’s body that was caged in the palace’s labytinth by King Minos. Minotaur was depicted in religious ceremonies where the priests wore masks in the shape of a bull´s head.

• Phaistos

The Minoan Palace of Phaistos, one of the most important archaeological sites in Crete, is located in the Messara Plain in south-central Crete, 55 kilometres south of Heraklion and close to the archaeological site of Gortys Phaistos was the palace of a flourishing city, founded in prehistoric times by King Minos, and its first king was Radamanthys, Minos’ brother. 

• Zakros

Zakros Palace, situated on the eastern coast of Crete, is one of the latest vestiges of the Minoan civilization that was unearthed in our time. The findings in Zakros Palace, housed in the Archaeological Museum of Sitia, are considered to be of the most important discoveries with regards to studies of the ancient Minoan civilization.Zakros Palace was an administrative and religious centre, a very important commercial harbour that connected Minoan Crete to Asia and Africa.Heraklion Archaeological Museum
One of the most important museums in Europe, with exhibits originating exclusively from archaeological sites of Crete. Located in the centre of Heraklion, the museum travels the visitor to the wonders of Minoan civilization: frescoes with vibrant colours and jewels, the figurines of the snake goddesses, double axes, the holy symbols of the Minoan civilization, and the unique exhibit of the Phaistos clay disk.Lassithi Plateau
A particularly fertile plateau, inhabited since the Neolithic times, known as the 10,000 windmills plateau, Lassithi is a breath-taking place. The windmills were built in the 1800’s whereas nowadays, it is only the ruins that bring back memories of a glorious past.Dikteon Andron
Dikteon Andron, on the Lassithi Plateau, is one of the most important caves in Crete. According to Greek mythology Zeus was born here. This is why Dikteon Andron was famous in antiquity, dedicated to the worship of the greatest of the gods, as the many offerings found there indicate.Spinalonga
Spinalonga is a small rocky islet opposite Elounda in East Crete. Spinalonga, during summer, becomes one of the most visited sites in Crete. Also known as the leper island, Spinalonga was the place where lepers from Crete, and later on from all over Greece, were quarantined from 1903 until about 1957. Victoria Hislop’s best seller ‘The Island’ has been based on the fierce and at the same time very humane story of Spinalonga.Toplou Monastery
On the way to Vai, Toplou Monastery is one of the most important and beautiful monasteries in Crete. Impressive from afar, the monastery looks like a small fortress (with an imposing 33-metre-high belfry) surrounded by a 10-metre-high wall. It is worth visiting the Museum of Copperplate Engravings and Greek Folk Engravings produced by the monks of Mount Athos in the 18th and 19th century as well as seeing the collection of icons of invaluable artistic and historical interest.