General information

KNOSSOS PALACE

Knossos, an ancient site of great significance, was home to the legendary King Minos and the seat of the Minoan civilization. Its rich history is steeped in captivating legends, including the myth of the labyrinth and the famous story of Daedalus and Icarus. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, Knossos experienced a revival during the Hellenistic period and later fell under Roman rule. The site was discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos and meticulously excavated by Arthur Evans between 1900 and 1931, revealing the magnificent palace, a vast Minoan city, and ancient cemeteries. Arthur Evans also played a vital role in restoring the palace to its former glory. The preservation efforts were necessary to safeguard the uncovered monuments.

Archaeological museum

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum stands as one of the most significant museums in Europe. It was constructed from 1933 to 1937 according to plans by P. Karantinos, taking the place of the majestic Venetian Franciscan friary destroyed in 1856 by an earthquake. With artifacts gathered from various parts of Crete, the museum showcases over 5500 years of the island's rich history. The focal point is the remarkable collection of Minoan civilization, which allows visitors to fully grasp the historical journey of this ancient culture. As the premier dwelling of Minoan civilization, the museum proudly holds the world's most important assortment of Minoan antiquities.

Heraklio city

Heraklio is the largest urban centre in Crete with approximately 175,000 people, the capital of the region and the economic centre of the island. The town enjoys of a dynamic and imaginative combination of natural beauty climate, strategic position, cultural heritage and scientific background what has created an appropiate environment to suport a particular mechanism with which to in add value to the broader entrepreneurial activity in the region and stimulate the local economy. Today Heraklion is the top choice for tourist destinations in the Mediterranean thanks to strategic geopolitical position connecting three continents and many different cultures, furthermore the city is also the commercial and scientific centre of the island.

Itinerary