Knossos located 5 kilometers southeast of Heraklion. Knossos was the capital of Minoan civilization, a Bronze Age civilization that arose on Crete and other Aegean islands. It is the greater and more complex than any of the other ancient palaces known to us.

Knossos was inhabited for several thousand years. The first settlement in the area was established in 7000 BC, during the Neolithic Period. The Palace of Knossos constructed towards the end of the second millennium BC. This first Palace was destroyed in 1700 BC by earthquake. It was rebuilt but destroyed again in 1350 BC by fire. 

The Palace of Knossos is the monumental symbol of Minoan civilisation, due to its construction, use of luxury materials, architectural plan, advanced building techniques and impressive size.It is connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth, the Minotaur, and the story of Daidalos and Ikaros.

The first large-scale excavation was undertaken in 1878 by the wealthy art-lover Minos Kalokairinos, and the second one by Sir Arthur Evans in 1900 to 1931, who excavated not only the Palace but the whole surrounding area of Knossos. Excavations continue and a conservation programme is underway to halt the deterioration of the Palace.

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