The Palace of Knossos, Crete

The Palace of Knossos, situated on the island of Crete, is one of Greece's more important archaeological sites and a symbol of the great ancient Minoan civilization. Constructed sometime around 1900 BCE, the palace was the biggest and most complex of all Minoan palaces, used as a royal residence and also as the center of administration and religion. The vast complex comprises a series of rooms and areas that are inextricably linked, many of which are decorated with vivid frescoes illustrating scenes of everyday life, nature, and mythology. Simple yet profound, the palace is a fascinating testimony of Minoan architectural genius and culture, with such features as advanced plumbing and a multi-story design. The Palace of Knossos is a journey into a world that belongs to the ancients—a world of myth, mystery, and achievement—and thus the site must be visited by anyone interested in history or the arts. For those interested in delving deeper into this rich heritage, the Palace of Knossos stands out as a key highlight on tours of Greece, offering an in-depth exploration of its cultural significance and its ties to other ancient Greek landmarks.

The History of the Palace of Knossos

The Palace of Knossos, lying east of the city of Heraklion on Crete, was one of the most notable archaeological sites in Greece, as well as an important part of the Minoan civilization as such. Around 1900 BCE, the palace was the political, cultural, and religious center of the Minoan world and made for a very large complex, covering more than twenty thousand square meters, with innumerous rooms, courtyards, and hallways extending over several stories. The palace served, in theory, not only to house members of the royal family but also as a center for administration, trade, and religious ceremonies.

Minoans were seafarers of advanced civilization who flourished from the island of Crete around 1450 BCE to around 1100 BCE, and the Palace of Knossos is one of their examples glorifying their prowess. Its architectural design was most advanced, featuring a complex arrangement of buildings with multi-story accommodation; a thorough drainage and plumbing system; and vividly colored frescoes representing scenes from everyday life, nature, and mythology. One of the best-known frescoes is the "Fresco of the Dolphin," showing the Minoans' feeling for the sea.

It was in the 15th century BCE that the palace, damaged by an earthquake, was rebuilt. But it was abandoned around 1400 BCE on account of some other natural calamity or an invasion. Ruins of the palace lay buried till the early 20th century, when British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans began excavating it. Evans' restoration methods are a subject of debate, for he used modern materials and techniques to restore parts of the palace, giving it a somewhat "fantastical" appearance.

Today, the Palace of Knossos remains a crucial archaeological site, giving much insight into Minoan culture, politics, and mythology. It is among Greece's most visited historical sites and a must-see for anyone interested in the ancient world.

What to See at the Palace of Knossos: Must-visit areas and highlights?

1. The Throne Room
One of the most famous parts of the palace is the throne room, which was supposedly used as a ceremonial room. The stone throne was carved in **alabaster** and had frescoes on its walls. It could have served for royal audiences or religious ceremonies; it is also associated with the Minoan priest-king.
2. The Grand Staircase
Huge as it is, the Grand Staircase connects two levels of the palace and offers the onlooker some insight into the complicated multi-story arrangements of the palace. The stairway brings visitors to the upper floors while also presenting a grand view of the ruins beyond, thus underlining Minoan advanced architectural design.
3. The Central Court
The Central Court is among the largest open areas in the palace, used for public and religious functions. Surrounding this area are great halls and general dormitories, whose very size is proof enough for ceremonial gatherings to be extremely important to Minoan society. One can well imagine the hustle and bustle of palace affairs in this vast area.
4. The Storage Rooms
The storage rooms fascinate with their size and layout. Large, airy areas have been used to hold grain, oil, and other supplies needed to run the palace and support its residents. The walls of the storage rooms are decorated with frescoes, giving a glimpse into the daily life and economy of the Minoans.
5. The Frescoes
This palace is known for their colorful and rich frescoes, which cover all sorts of subjects, from nature and animals to human activities. Perhaps most famous among the frescoes are those of the Dolphin, with dolphins swimming amid brilliant waves, and of the Ladies in Blue, which shows women clad in elaborate robes. These frescoes present a vivid snapshot of Minoan culture and art.
6. The Queen's Megaron
The Queen's Megaron, or Queen's Room, is a highly decorated room considered, in all likelihood, used by the royal family either for conducting some private rituals or just as a living room. The frescoes in this palace are beautiful, together with the ornate decorations showing the wealth and prestige of the Minoan royalty. Furthermore, from this palace comes the celebrated "Snake Goddess" statuette that symbolizes female fertility.
7. The Columned Hall
the Columned Hall, which is dominated by its brilliant columns. There, the column bases are bright red painted against a colorful background of frescoes that have been painstakingly restored. This hallway gives a person an idea about the great architecture and brilliance of Minoan architecture at its best.
8. The Lustral Basin
A lustral basin is another distinctive feature in Minoan palaces, usually connected to purification rites and ceremonial cleansing. This sunken rectangular structure must have been a setting for religious and ritual bathing. The drainage systems connected to the basin most clearly demonstrate the advanced engineering skills of the Minoans.
9. The Minoan Labyrinth
Some may also argue that the real palace inspired an illusion of a labyrinth in the myth of the Minotaur, other than the myth itself. With their maze-like and seemingly innumerable corridors and interconnecting rooms, the palace intrigues and mystifies while offering a glimpse into the strategic design and architectural acumen of the Minoans.
10. The Palace Gardens
Not much remains of the original gardens, yet there are clues of the lush courtyards and plant life that must have encircled the palace. The gardens were indispensable to the glamour and usefulness of the palace, providing a background for relaxation and artistic expression. Travelers can wander around the periphery to whet their appetite for the kind of natural landscape that used to smother the palace.
11. The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
Although not a part of the Palace of Knossos proper, the Archaeological Museum at Heraklion is, in fact, a short driving distance away, where many artifacts excavated from Knossos were transported. The displayed Minoan pottery, sculptures, and the famous 'Phaistos Disc' further explain the art and culture of the Minoans.
12. The Restored Areas and Archaeological Excavations
During the ongoing restoration projects undertaken at Knossos, some very interesting discoveries about the original design of the palace have emerged. Having reconstructed many parts of the palace, like the grand staircase and throne room, gives visitors a better perspective on how the palace would have looked in its heyday. Some disputed reconstructions still provide useful insights into the scale and complexity of the palace.

Facts about the Palace of Knossos

Minoan Civilization: The Palace of Knossos stands as the largest and most important palace of the ancient Minoan civilization on the isle of Crete. It was a center of politics, culture, and religion in the Minoan way of life, thought to have been built around 1900 BCE.

Mythology: The palace is famously supposed to have served as a setting for the saga of King Minos and the Minotaur. The very design of the palace with its labyrinth of rooms and corridors provided inspiration for the myth of the Minotaur and the labyrinth.

A Technical Marvel: The palace was a technical masterpiece of its day, with multi-story edifices, complicated layouts, and ingenious plumbing systems, including flush toilets and an efficient drainage system that worked well thousands of years later.

Throne Room: The Throne Room, probably the most iconic feature of the palace, contained a stone throne which is thought to have been used by the ruling Minoan king or priest-king. This room represents one of the earliest examples of a royal throne in the ancient world.

Frescoes: The palace is known for its enchanting Minoan frescoes depicting scenes of nature, animals and religious rituals. The famous frescoes include the Fresco of the Dolphin, showing dolphins swimming amidst vibrant waves, and the fresco of the Ladies in Blue, showing women in ceremonial robes.

Size and Complexity: The Palace of Knossos was over 20,000 square meters (2.5 acres) in area and had 1500 rooms, including storage rooms, living quarters, and ceremonial halls, on several levels.

Destruction and Rebuilding: A partial earthquake around 1450 BCE destroyed the palace, and it was then rebuilt, restoring many parts of the original structure; however, the palace found itself abandoned circa 1400 BCE for reasons such as another natural disaster or invasion.

Excavation and Restoration: The ruins of the palace remained buried until rediscovery in 1900 by British archaeologist Arthur Evans, who initiated excavation and restoration works. Evans' works were instrumental in bringing the palace into world focus; unfortunately, some of his reconstructions, particularly those of using vividly colorful concrete, were a subject of controversy.

Cultural Influence: The Palace of Knossos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major emblem of the Minoan culture, which is acknowledged to be the first developed European civilization. It continues to draw interest in the ancient world and stands in significance as an important archaeological site within Greece.