Knossos is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and the ceremonial and political center of Minoan civilization, often considered Europe’s oldest city.

Knossos was first inhabited during the Neolithic period around 7000 BCE, making it the oldest known settlement in Crete. Palatial Construction: The first palace was built circa 1900 BCE, destroyed around 1700 BCE, and rebuilt into a more elaborate complex. The final destruction occurred around 1375 BCE, marking the decline of Minoan civilization. Size and Layout: The palace complex covered approximately 14,000 m², with the broader inhabited area spanning 10 km². It included storage magazines, workshops, courtyards, a theater, and royal chambers

Center of Minoan Administration: Knossos served as the administrative hub of Crete during the Minoan period, facilitating trade, governance, and religious rituals. Myth of the Minotaur: The palace is famously linked to the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. King Minos is said to have kept the Minotaur in a labyrinth beneath Knossos, inspiring countless literary and artistic interpretations. Sacred Bull Symbolism: Bulls were central to Minoan culture, evident in artifacts like the Bull-Leaping Fresco and horned altars, symbolizing fertility and power.

British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans began extensive excavations in 1900, uncovering much of the palace and introducing the term “Minoan” to describe the civilization. Knossos is part of the Minoan Palatial Centres, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2025, under criteria ii, iii, iv, and vi for cultural significance.