The Knossos Palace In Heraklion, Crete

The Palace of the Peacocks or better known as the Palace of Knossos is located very close to the city of Heraklion. It is most likely that the staff of the crete heraklion hotels where you will be staying will be the first place they will recommend you to visit.

The palace belongs to the prehistoric period and was the residence of King Minos. son of Zeus and Europa. The building was designed by the most popular architect of antiquity, Daedalus. From the very Neolithic era (7000 BC) up to 3000 BC. Knossos became one of the most important economic and cultural centers.

The visitor there will have the opportunity to admire the view from the hill of Kefala where it is built. In its heyday, Knossos occupied an area of 20,000 square kilometers and over 100,000 inhabitants lived there. What is still impressive is the variety of materials used in its construction and of course the murals with their vivid colors that remain indelible. The labyrinthine, i.e. complex, corridors of the palace are evident even today.

During your stay in one of the Crete Heraklion hotels, be sure to find out about the times you can visit the archaeological site as well as what time of day is best as it is very hot. Wander between the entrance and the northern part of the palace and don't miss the imposing "Throne Room" of King Minos.

Finally, you can complete your tour by taking a walk to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, which is quite close to most crete heraklion hotels, and see up close the statuette of the topless Minoan goddess, coins of the ancient kingdom, and her trademark Knossos, the double axe.