Crete (Κρήτη), home of the ancient Minoan civilization, is the largest Greek island in the center of the busy eastern Mediterranean sea lanes. Its rich historical heritage spans more than nine millennia, with its fertile, secure, and strategically placed land mass been inhabited since the seventh millennium BC.
Over this expanse of time different cultures have sown the land with ancient palaces, towns, villas, and a plethora of exquisite artifacts which date back to the Stone Age. Crete’s Bronze Age heritage, the Minoan civilization, is celebrated as the first advanced European civilization, and as one of the most splendid in world heritage. This is a collection of essays and images from some of the most important archaeological sites of Minoan Crete.
Knossos
Knossos palace was undeniably the most important center of Minoan Crete. It is grander, more complex, and more flamboyant than any of the other palaces known to us, and it is located about twenty minutes south of the modern port town of Heraklion. Read more…
Phaistos
The second largest Minoan palace of Crete commands the fertile Messara plain south of Heraklion. Phaistos palace is not as lavishly decorate with wall paintings, but its architectural plan is exquisite in its design. Read more…
Malia
The palace of Malia is the third largest palace in Crete, a few kilometers east of the palace of Knossos. A number of extensive settlements flourished around the palace including a small town, an agora, and the necropolis at Chrysolakos—the “gold pit” where locals used to find golden artifacts.
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Zakros
The smallest of the four Minoan palaces, Zakros is strategically located at the East shore of Crete. Many vessels coming from the East probably found it more convenient to unload their cargo at Zakro, than trying to sail around the ever-windy cape Sideros at the north-eastern tip of Crete. Read more…
Palekastro
What today we call “Palekastro” is a Minoan town unearthed at the Rousolakos location near the modern town of Palekastro. It is located strategically at the East shore of Crete adjacent to the sheltered harbor of Chiona, a few kilometers North of the palace of Kato Zakros. Read more…
