Visit Phaistos Palace Crete's LesserKnown Minoan Sight Travel Greece Travel Europe
Around 60km south of the city of Heraklion, close to Matala and other seaside resorts in southern Crete, the Palace of Phaistos is one of the most important remains of Europe's oldest civilisation, the Minoans. But before you get complacent about taking a tour around yet another Greek ruin, just consider how old that makes it.
The Minoan Palace at Phaistos
Phaistos, or more correctly the Minoan Palace of Phaistos, is located in the Messara Plain in south-central Crete, 55 kilometres south of Heraklion and a short distance from the archaeological site of Agia Triada, the archaeological site of Gortys and Matala.
Patrick Comerford Walking through the ruins of the Minoan palace at Phaistos in the late evening
Bronze Age Phaistos was inhabited by about 3600 BC, slightly later than other early sites such as Knossos. During the Early Minoan period, the site's hills were terraced and monumental buildings constructed on them. The first palace was built in the Middle Minoan IB period, around 1900 BC.
Phaestos Palace in Heraklion, Greece Greeka
The archaeological site and Minoan Palace of Phaistos (also spelt Festos) is one of the most visited and well known in Crete. The palace complex and the city of Phaistos were built on a hill, offering a panoramic view, especially to the east, north, and to the south.
Visit Phaistos Palace Crete's LesserKnown Minoan Sight Travel Greece Travel Europe
The unique contribution of the Minoan civilization to European architecture is possibly most evident in the great palace structures of the major Minoan centres of Knossos, Phaistos, Malia and Zakros.Perhaps influenced by Egypt and the Near East and evolving through the monumental tombs of the preceding period, these magnificent buildings, constructed from c. 2000 BCE to c. 1500 BCE, were so.
The Minoan Palace at Phaistos
The Minoan Palace at Phaistos The ruins at Phaistos show 2 palaces, an old one dating from 2,000 BC which was destroyed by earthquakes 3 times over 3 centuries, and a new palace built sometime later. Both palaces are made of ashlar blocks (large, dry-stacked cut stones), and, following the topography of the hilltop, form several terraces.
The Minoan Palace at Phaistos
The Minoan Palace of Phaestos in Crete: The Palace of Phaistos is located on the east end of Kastri Hill, the end of the Messara plain in South Central Crete. It is considered to be one of the finest of all Minoan palaces. The preserves of the old and new palace can be seen until nowadays.
Phaistos, the most splendid representative of Minoan architecture
Two additional palaces were built during the Middle and Late Minoan periods. The older one looks like the palace at Knossos, although the Phaistos complex is smaller. On its ruins (probably destroyed by an earthquake around 1600 BCE), the Late-Minoan builders constructed a larger palace had several rooms separated by columns.
The Minoan Palace at Phaistos
the finest and most typical of all Minoan palaces. Phaistos (GR: Φαιστός - also spelled : Phaestos, Phaestus, Faistos, Festus and Festos) was one of the most important centres of Minoan civilization, and the most wealthy and powerful city in southern Crete.
Phaistos Minoan Palace on Crete
It is the second-largest Cretan palace founded by the legendary King Minos of Knossos, but it does not face the Peloponnese mainland like Kydonia does, but rather southward and outward, toward the Mediterranean. The palatial fortress, located in a seismically active zone, was rebuilt twice after it was first constructed in the Late Bronze Age.
Archeological excavation of Minoan palace Festos (Faistos, Phaistos, Phestos), Messara valley
Lonely and fascinating, the Minoan Palace of Phaistos is located on the southern coast of Heraklion, in Crete, and it is an imposing archaeological site, contemporary to Knossos Palace, on the northern coast of the same region. In this article, you can find all the info you need to prepare for your visit and know what to expect. Read on!
Ruins of the Minoan Palace of Phaistos. Crete, Greece Stock Photo Alamy
The Minoan Palace at Phaistos is felt by many to be a far more enjoyable site to visit than the better-known Knossos. It stands on a hill overlooking the fertile Messara Plain, and the fact that it has not been reconstructed like Knossos allows visitors to reconstruct the Palace in the best possible way: in the imagination..
Visit the Minoan Palace of Phaistos Creta Maris Blog
I was standing at Phaistos Palace, a complex built for Minoan royalty, located south of Heraklion. After visiting the famous - and crowded - site of Knossos Palace , which is the most popular ancient sight in all of Crete, I was curious about the lesser-visited Phaistos. Although second in line to Knossos, Phaistos was still a place of power.
Phaistos, the most splendid representative of Minoan architecture
This large scale Minoan palace was built on a wide plateau on the lowest of three hills, 97m high. The palace, at its widest extent, occupied an area of 8,400 square metres and was second only to Knossos in size and importance.
Minoan Palace of Phaistos (Crete) Tips + Photos
Minoan palaces were massive building complexes built on Crete during the Bronze Age.. The Palace at Phaistos provides the clearest evidence about the Protopalatial era. The first palaces are generally dated to MM IB (c. 1925-1875 BC). In this era, there were only three known palaces, namely those at Knossos, Phaistos, and Malia..
Partial view of the Minoan palace in Phaistos (or "Festos") in South Stock Photo 83720794 Alamy
The Palace of Phaistos, in Crete, is one of the largest Minoan sites on the island. Located on the South coast, it is a fascinating place to visit with beautiful views and lesser crowds. Below is my guide to help you plan your visit with map, tips and photos. Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Crete: