Knossos

Knossos, the largest Minoan palace built around 1900 BC, was deytroyed by an earthquake several times restored. It stretches on the area of about two hectares. During the archaeological works of Sir Evans, a complex of formerly up to four-storey edifices, a maze of corridors, halls and staircases were discovered. In the ancient times, it used to be the seat of the Minoan king and probably also the home of the mythical Minotaur. The frequent representations of double axes gave the name ´Hall of the Double Axes´ to Knossos. The frescoes inthe palace are copies of the originals (to see the originals, you need to visit the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion).

Near the Palace of Knossos, the are remains of the Minoan town of Knossos, ruins of a few villas and the ´Little Palace´, that have not been uncovered yet and therefore and not accessible for the public. 

Detailed photo of Knossos

How to get to Knossos?

The archaeological site of Knossos is located about 5 km south-east of Heraklion. From the Cretan capital, you can get there by bus in about 5 minutes.