Inside the Knossos Palace in Crete
The list of fascinating attractions on Greece’s largest and most historical island is long. However, at the top of the list, one finds none other than Knossos Palace. This Minoan palace is a place of history, legends, and Crete’s most extensive and important archaeological site.
The palace that is located about 5 km south of Heraklion was first built during the Neolithic period, but it saw its greatest expansion during the Minoan period. Knossos was the largest and most important palace of the Minoan civilization. Its ruins are fascinating for a number of reasons. For one, the palace is incredibly well-preserved, and offers a glimpse into the lives of the Minoans.
Additionally, the palace was considered to be a magical place, since it was here that King Minos kept the legendary Minotaur in a labyrinth.
Furthermore, Knossos was also the birthplace of Linear A writing, which is still not completely understood. What makes Knossos so impressive to historians is that it was not simply a residence for a royal family – it was also a center of government, commerce, and culture. The palace was home to many workshops where craftsmen produced goods for trade with other parts of the Mediterranean. And thanks to its location near the coast, Knossos also served as an important port city.
Furthermore, Knossos was also the birthplace of Linear A writing, which is still not completely understood. What makes Knossos so impressive to historians is that it was not simply a residence for a royal family – it was also a center of government, commerce, and culture. The palace was home to many workshops where craftsmen produced goods for trade with other parts of the Mediterranean. And thanks to its location near the coast, Knossos also served as an important port city.
It is worth noting that the Minoan period is named after the legendary King Minos, who is said to have ruled the island of Crete during this time. The Minoan period is often considered to be the golden age of Crete, and it is during this time that the Knossos palace was built. The palace was a vast complex of buildings and courtyards and was used as both a residence and a government center. It is believed that the palace was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1450 BC, but much of its art and architecture has been preserved and can still be seen today.
A place of history, legends, and Crete’s most extensive and important archaeological site!