Map your own Life: Experience the World: Inside the Palace of Minos in Knossus, Crete

Lets travel to Ancient Greece: Inside the Palace of Minos in Knossus, Crete

Knossos, the capital of Minoan Crete is grander, more complex, and more vibrant than any of the other palaces known to us. It is located about twenty minutes south of the modern port town of Iraklio.

Knossos was inhabited for several thousand years, beginning with a neolithic settlement sometime in the 7th millennium BC, and was abandoned after its destruction in 1375 BC which marked the end of Minoan civilization.

It was immediately rebuilt to an even more detailed complex and until its abandonment was damaged several times during earthquakes, invasions, and in 1450 BC by the massive volcanic eruption of Thera, and the invasion of Mycenaeans who used it as their capital as they ruled the island of Crete until 1375 BC.

The British Archaeologist, Arthur Evans who excavated the place in 1900 AD restored large parts of the palace in a way that it is possible today to appreciate the grandeur and complexity of a structure that evolved over several millennia and grew to occupy about 20,000 square meters. Walking through its complex multi-storied buildings one can understand why the palace of Knossos was associated with the mythological labyrinth.

The Greek Mythology tells us that the palace was designed by famed architect Dedalos with such complexity that no one placed in it could ever find its exit. King Minos who custom made the palace then kept the architect prisoner to ensure that he would not reveal the palace plan to anyone. Dedalos, who was a great inventor, built two sets of wings so he and his son Ikaros could fly off the island, and so they did. On their way out, Dedalos warned his son not to fly too close to the sun because the wax that held the wings together would melt. In a tragic turn of events, during their escape Ikaros, young and impulsive as he was, flew higher and higher until the sun rays dismantled his wings and the young boy fell to his death in the Aegean sea. The Labyrinth was the dwelling of the Minotaur in Greek mythology, and many associate the palace of Knossos with the legend of Theseus killing the Minotaur.

For the tourist today, the area around the ramp which leads to the main palace, immediately exposes the rich strata of ruins that span millennia. To the left of the entrance ramp three large kouloures in the shape of large round pits reveal in their deep bottom the remains of Prepalatial building ruins.

The palace of Knossos was the center of administration of the entire island during Minoan times, and its position as such allowed for unprecedented growth and prosperity as witnessed by the plethora of storage magazines, workshops, and wall paintings.

The Throne room with its gypsum throne and benches to accommodate sixteen persons, the central courtyard, and the theater, along with the royal chambers paint a portrait of Knossos as a forum of elaborate rituals and extraordinary historical occurrences.