Overview

Knossos is Crete';s most important archeological site. It is the second most visited place in Greece after the Acropolis. The site lies about 5 km southeast of Heraklion.
Knossos was first inhabited in the 7th millennium BC. People lived here for over 3000 years in Europe';s oldest settlement of the Neolithic Age. In the 3rd millennium BC an Early Minoan town was built over the Neolithic settlement. Built in 1950 BC, the first palace of Knossos was destroyed by an earthquake around 1700 BC. The second more impressive palace that was soon rebuilt was again completely destroyed possibly by a tremendous earthquake around 1400 BC. Knossos was inhabited until Roman times.

The restored ruins that the visitor can see today are almost completely from the second palace.

In the mythology King Minos was the ruler of Knossos. He was born from the union of Zeus and Europa. His wife Pasiphae bore a monster, half-bull and half-man, the Minotaur. He was imprisoned in an underground labyrinth designed by Deadalus. Young people from Athens were brought to the labyrinth of Knossos as human sacrifice, until the day Theseus arrived and managed to kill the beast with Ariadne';s (daughter of King Minos) help. The purpose of this myth was to show the power of King Minos and Athens'; subjugation to the Minoan civilization. The word labyrinth derives from ";labrys";, which means Double Axe, the most sacred symbol of the Minoan religion. Evidence of the significance of the Double Axe for the Minoans is apparent from the many seals, frescos, vases and larnakes (clay coffins) that were painted or inscribed with this powerful symbol.

A merchant from Heraklion ironically named Minos Kalokairinos first excavated the area in 1878. He found 12 huge storage jars (pithoi) and several other objects. However, Sir Arthur Evans, together with the British School of Athens started to excavate the area of the palace at the turn of the 20th century. Although many archeologists do not agree with his reconstructions, it is certain that visitors would not be able to imagine the grandeur of this palace and its complexity, without his restorations.