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The Minoan civilization was the first European civilization and flourished during the second millennium BC. Its center was the ancient coastal city of Knossos, which is the most striking find from the Minoan period. Around the time when Schliemann discovered ancient Troy, beginning in 1878 Minos Kalokairinou, then later the Englishman Sir...
The archaeological site located near Malia is the third largest palace found in Crete after Knossos and Phaistos. It was built around 1900 BC and was ruled by King Sarpedon, brother of Minos. Excavations at the site began in 1915 by Joseph Hatzidakis and continued in 1921 by the French Archaeological School, during which they found the golden...
Rising upon the hill as the visitor overlooks the plain of Messara, the magical image of the silent, ancient ruins of the palace remains indelible. With a relatively short climb long the stone road one arrives at the palace of Phaistos. It was built and flourished in the same era as Knossos, around 2.000 BC by King Minos’ brother Rhadamanthus,...
A small town near Phaistos, possibly serving as its harbor town, it dates back to 2000 BC and was maintained as a port until the Hellenistic period. Excavations unearthed homes, warehouses, public buildings, olive presses, altars and a banquet room.
Another city whose past glory is obvious through its ruins is the Roman capital Gortyna, perhaps named from Gortyna, son of Rhadamanthus, king of the nearby Phaistos. Situated 45 km south of Heraklion, it shows signs of habitation from the Neolithic era onward. Gortyna grew and enjoyed great fame from the 3rd century BC, especially when the...
The palace is located at Ano Archanes, where the excavations began in 1964. It is believed to have been subordinate to the Palace of Knossos; the purpose of its construction was the control of the hinterland. It was built in 1900 BC and was destroyed three times. Following its third destruction, it was rebuilt during the Mycenaean occupation...
Located 16 km west of Heraklion, it is thought to have been a stop on the route from Knossos to western Crete. It was one of the first Minoan sites to be excavated. Tylisos flourished from 1650 -1450 BC until 1200 BC. Apparently, it had an excellent city construction plan since, during the excavations water and sanitation systems were revealed....
It’s a small archaeological site on the south coast of Heraklion, located where the village Lenda is today. Levina flourished during the Greco-Roman times, serving as Gortyna’s harbor. However, traces of Early Minoan tombs have been found in the area. Apart from serving the needs of Gortyna, Levina has served the public through its thermal...
This is a small palace in the village of Archanes, dated around 1600 BC. It is believed to have been used as the luxurious country house of a Minoan officer. On view are mills, presses, warehouses and a pottery workshop from the period. Along with the remnants of the villa, there is a small showroom with archaeological finds from the site.
On the eastern side of Mount Idi or Psiloritis (78km from Rethymno and 24km from Anogia in Mylopotamos) lies, according to Greek mythology, Zeus's birthplace or the place where Rhea hid her son in order not to be devoured by his father, Kronos. According to mythology, an oracle said that the son of Kronos and Rhea will take power from the...
