Knossos Greece

" "

Knossos is both a place of legend and a place from history. Stories abound about King Minos and the minotaur doomed to roam the labyrinth outside his palace. However, this palace is a very real place on the island of Crete. Today, it’s one of the world’s finest archaeological sites, where a good tour guide can weave stories of fact and myth. The site lies just minutes outside of Heraklion, Crete’s modern port city. Many of Knossos’ visitors began their journey to Knossos at the cruise port; the ancient palace is one of the most popular shore excursions. However you arrive on Crete, a visit to the archaeological site will be sure to fascinate.

Knossos dates to the Bronze Age, a time before Athens settled on democracy and the Romans rose to ascendancy. While the site is not as grand as it was during the height of the Minoan civilization, it is still striking to see in person. The most dominant feature of the archaeological site is the palace, once the center of power for all of Crete. On your tours, you’ll have the chance to see the rooms arranged around a central courtyard, including shrines, the king’s throne room, and banquet halls. Vestiges of a second smaller palace also remain, along with a royal villas and the Caravanserai, which was used as a reception hall. With a walk to the south the palace, you’ll find the temple room, where one of the last kings of Knossos was laid to rest. The site is also home to more mundane reminders of the past, seen in Minoan houses, the theater, and customs house.