The Palace of Knossos
The most important monuments of the site are:
The Palace of Knossos. It is the largest of the preserved Minoan palatial centres. Four wings are arranged around a central courtyard, containing the royal quarters, workshops, shrines, storerooms, repositories, the throne room and banquet halls. Dated to 2000-1350 B.C.
The Little Palace. It lies to the west of the main palace and has all the features of palatial architecture: scraped wall masonry, reception rooms, a pristyle hall, a double megaron with polythyra (pi er-and-door partitions) and a lustral basin-shrine. Dated to the 17th-15th centuries B.C.
The Royal Villa. It lies to the NE of the palace and its architectural form is distinguished by the polythyra, the pillar crypt and the double staircase, with two flights of stairs. It is strongly religious in character and might have been the residence of an aristocrat or a high priest. Dated to the 14th century B.C.
House of the Frescoes. It is located to the NW of the palace and is a small urban mansion with rich decoration on the walls. Dated to the 15th, 14th-12th centuries B.C.
Caravanserai. It lies to the south of the palace and was interpreted as a reception hall and hospice. Some of the rooms are equipped with baths and decorated with wall paintings.
The “Unexplored Mansion”. Private building, probably of private-industrial function, to the NW of the palace. It is rectangular, with a central, four-pillared hall, corridors, storerooms and remains of a staircase. Dated to the 14th-12th centuries B.C.
Temple Tomb. It is located almost 600 m. to the south of the palace and was connected with the “House of the High Priest” by means of a paved street. It seems that one of the last kings of Knossos (17th-14th centuries B.C.) was buried here. Typical features of its architecture are the hypostyle, two-pillar crypt, the entrance with the courtyard, the portico and a small anteroom.
House of the High Priest. It lies 300 m. to the south of Caravanserai and contains a stone altar with two columns, framed by the bases of double axes.
The South Mansion. Private civic house, located to the south of the palace. It is a three-storeyed building with a lustral basin and a hypostyle crypt, dating from the 17th-15th centuries B.C.
Villa of Dionysos. Private, peristyle house of the Roman period. It is decorated with splendid mosaics by Apollinarius, depicting Dionysos. The house contains special rooms employed for the Dionysiac cult. Dated to the 2nd century A.D.
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REVIEWS
I went solo as a single female. Went by mini van as part of a day excursion from street vendor. Early morning and fairly quiet and able to amble around alone and soak up the incredible atmosphere. Fabulous site, vast and hot as hell. I was able to build up my own version of the site and adored the peacocks strutting around like super models on the ruins. Spent almost 2 hours which is enough. Then group went to wonderful archaeological museum in the main town where findings are kept. Incredibly laid out and stunning. Spent 2 hours in fascination, before walking the old town and Venetian sea fort. A day I will remember for ever.
A very interesting visit especially because the Guide that accompanied me gave the explanations in sufficient detail not becoming obscure or insufficient. This visit takes about 1h30, I advise to do at the end of the day when there is less people and less heat. If complemented with a visit to the archaeological museum, our level of understanding moves to another level. It is impressive to see the advances that a civilisation that lived around the 5000 years hold, as well as their modus vivandi. I strongly advise
Archaeological site to visit absolutely with a Guide otherwise you will not understand anything and loses its charm and grandeur.The official guides who speak Italian are out at the palace and you can bargain the price if you are in a group. Be careful to book tickets… it is very complicated to find the official site online because only unofficial circuits appear where the ticket costs more while the real price is 15 euros and children up to 25 years of ‘EU do not pay. Go there at a cool time. We went at 6pm and had a great time. To complete the visit I Recommendation the great archaeological museum in Heraklion which is worth a visit after the palace and which contains what was found inside.
