Knossos was the most important city of Crete before the Roman era and, mainly, the center of the first glorious European palace culture, the Minoan Civilization. The palace of the city is the most visited archeological site of Crete with more than 1,000,000 visitors a year. The palace is located just 5km south of Heraklion, on the hill of Kefala above the banks of the Knossos Gorge. Access is via Knossos Street, which connects Heraklion with Skalani.


Apart from the palace area, the wider area is full of archeological finds, which is logical if we consider that Knossos had at its peak more than 100,000 inhabitants.


Minos was not a person, but a series of kings with the same name (like the Pharaohs in Egypt). His figure was deified and in fact he was considered the son of Europe and Zeus, as described in the myth of the Rapture of Europe.

The palace of Knossos was the heart of the city of Knossos, with a constant presence in the historical events of Crete from the Neolithic Age to the early Byzantine Age. The first to make excavations in Knossos was the Cretan archaeologist Minos Kalokairinos in 1878, who brought to light many jars and other objects.

However, the work soon stopped and the one who completed it was the Englishman Arthur Evans. Evans' work began in 1900 and was completed in 1930, with the completion of some restorations. Evans has been harshly criticized for making large-scale restorations of the palace using cement. However, one can admit that one's perception of the palace today would not be as good if all the buildings were leveled, as Evans found them.

The oldest traces of habitation date back to the Neolithic Age (7th-4th millennium BC). Later, the place was inhabited until 1900 BC, when the old buildings were demolished to build a larger palace. This palace occupied an area of ​​22 acres and seems to have been destroyed by an earthquake in 1700 BC. The most magnificent palace of all time was built on the site of the old palace. In 1600 BC. The earthquake caused damage, which was quickly repaired with the addition of many new buildings.


In 1450 BC. The palace was severely damaged by an earthquake or tsunami caused by the eruption of the Santorini volcano. Later, the Mycenaeans arrived in Crete and in 1350 the palace was destroyed. However, the city of Knossos continued its historical course until 500 AD.

Knossos continued to be the most powerful city of Crete for several centuries. It had many other competing cities, most notably Gortyna (capital of Crete during Roman times) and Lyttos. In 221-219 AD Knossos campaigned against Lyttus, which he leveled, as her men were missing in a campaign. However, Gortyna gradually increased her power and displaced Knossos in second place.

The coins of Knossos, which you will see in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, represented the Minotaur, the Labyrinth, ancient gods, etc. The symbol of Knossos was the lavry (double ax), but also the bull's horns which you will see in many places of Knossos.

Source: cretanbeaches.com