Make the trip south from Heraklion to the Palace of Phaistos to see the ruins of one of Crete’s great Minoan palaces. See the famous staircase and royal chambers and learn how the Phaistos Disc, one of Crete’s most important archaeological discoveries, was found here. Unlike the ruins at Knossos, this structure has not been rebuilt. Everything you see, from the remains of a red painted diamond on the floor to the clay storage pots, dates back to Minoan times.
The Palace of Phaistos is the second-largest Minoan palace on Crete. It is said to have been founded by King Minos himself around 2000 B.C. and ruled by his brother, Radamanthys. An earthquake destroyed the palace around 1700 B.C. and the subsequent rebuild was destroyed by invaders around 1450 B.C. Much of the palace, however, remains remarkably well preserved. Wander around to get a sense of how the building would have looked in ancient times.
Enter via the west entrance and climb the 45-foot-wide (14-meter) staircase to the central courtyard. From here, explore the magazines with their large clay pots or “pithos,” which were used to store cereals and grains. Much of the paving in the central courtyard still exists. In the northwestern corner, see traces of a painted red diamond on the floor.
Look around the king’s and queen’s chambers and imagine artisans hard at work in the workshops in the eastern side of the palace. Near these, on the southern side of the courtyard, are the domestic apartments where other courtiers lived. Stop here to enjoy superb views over the olive groves of the Messara Plain.
The Palace of Phaistos is located 38 miles (61 kilometers) south of Heraklion. It is open daily throughout the year. There is a charge for entry for a slightly higher price you can buy a ticket which allows you entry to the nearby Agia Triada site as well.
