Knossos is the center of Minoan civilization. It was the capital of Minoan Crete, governed by the legendary, homonymous king, Minos. It was a major centre of trade, which promoted wealth, urban lifestyle with monumental buildings and a complex social structure. Related myths as, the “Labyrinth with the Minotaur” and “the story of Daidalos and Icaros”, have also accompanied the Palace. Knossos is located 5 km south of Heraklion and it was discovered in 1878 by the archaeologist Minos Kalokairinos. However, the name of Arthur Evans is mostly connected with the systematic excavations at the site between 1900 and 1931, bringing to light the palace, a large section of the Minoan city and the cemeteries. The name "Knossos" is verified by inscription testimonies in Linear B tablets, where the city is referred as Ko-no-so.
A continuum habitation timeline of the region has been proved between Neolithic Era to Roman times. Of course, the peak identified with the Minoan period, when the palaces were built. The palace, established in ca. 1700 B.C., had covered an area of 20,000 sq. m. It is the largest and most spectacular of all the Minoan palatial centers. It was a multi-storey building, having a central court as core. It was surrounded by four wings, each of them with different function. For example, the east wing contains the residential royal quarters, the workshops and a shrine, whiles the west is occupied by storerooms. Almost all the rooms were covered with splendid mural paintings, especially known for the excellent technical attribution.
The archaeological site divided in high cultural-value spaces as, the Royal villa, House of Frescoes, Caravan-Serai, “Unexplored Mansion”, Royal Temple-Tomb, Villa of Dionysos etc. Moreover, precious excavations finds as pottery vessels, figurines, the archive of Linear B tablets, are displayed in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.
Archaeological site of Knossos
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