ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES & MUSEUMS
MINOAN PALACES
The Minoan civilization was the first great civilization developed in Europe, it was born and flourished in Crete about five thousand years ago. The Minoans excelled in the arts, war, trade and navigation. They were also the first to use written language in Europe. The most important finds of the Minoan civilization are the following four palaces:
KNOSSOS
The Minoan Palace of Knossos is considered the seat of King Minos and is located 5 km south-east from the city of Heraklion. Some of the major Greek myths are linked to the palace of Knossos, like Daedalus and Icarus, the Labyrinth and the Minotaur.
FESTOS
The Minoan Palace of Festos is located in south-central Crete. Festos is one of the most important archaeological sites in Crete and receives thousands of visitors every year.
MALIA
The Minoan Palace of Malia is located east of the current Malia village and is the third largest palace of Minoan Crete.
ZAKROS
The Minoan Palace of Zakros is located in the village of Zakros, on the east coast of Crete in a strategic location that is considered to have been an important commercial center for trade of the Minoans to the east.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, which is in the center of the city includes many exhibits of the Minoan civilization covering over 5,500 years from the Neolithic Age to Roman times. It is considered one of the largest and most important museums in Greece and one of the most important in Europe.
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Located in the city of Heraklion and has the following sections: Zoological, Botanical, Anthropological, Paleontological and Geological-Mineralogical.
HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Located in Heraklion and aims to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Crete from the early Byzantine period to modern times.
