Knossos

Welcome to Knossos, the heart of the Minoan civilization and arguably the oldest city in Europe. As you stand at the threshold of this 20,000 square meter complex, you are entering a space where history and myth are inextricably…

Entering the West Magazines, you are standing in the economic engine of the Minoan state. This area consists of 18 long, narrow storerooms covering over 1,300 square meters. …

The Central Court is the physical and social heart of the Palace of Knossos. This large open space, measuring roughly 50 by 25 meters, connected the different wings of the palace and served as a venue for major religious and…

The Throne Room is perhaps the most famous and enigmatic chamber in Knossos. As you peer inside, you will see a simple, high-backed gypsum chair—the oldest throne in Europe—flanked by low stone benches. …

To experience the true architectural genius of the Minoans, you must visit the Grand Staircase in the East Wing. This is a masterpiece of light and air management, featuring a lightwell that allowed natural illumination to reach…

Located at the northwestern end of the palace is the Theater Area, which Sir Arthur Evans identified as a space for public performances or religious processions. It consists of a paved square with tiered stone steps that could…

As you approach the Northern Entrance of the palace, you are greeted by one of the most iconic images of Knossos: the relief fresco of a charging bull. This reconstruction, set against the backdrop of the massive stone bastions…

As we conclude our journey through Knossos, take a final look at these ruins that have survived five and a half thousand years of history. You have explored a place that was lost to time for millennia, known only through myths of…