Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
North Entrance
. Stop to admire the
Charging Bull Fresco
before continuing to the vast
Central Court
.
Grouped around the central court are the palace's most important rooms, including the
Throne Room
on your right. Peering through security glass, you can make out a simple,
beautifully proportioned alabaster throne and walls decorated with frescoes of griffins,
regarded as sacred by Minoans. Past the Throne Room a staircase leads to the upper floor
(called
Piano Nobile
by Evans) where the reception and staterooms may have been loc-
ated. On its north end, above the Throne Room, the restored
Fresco Room
houses rep-
licas of the most famous frescoes found at Knossos, including the
Bull-Leaper
, the
Ladies in Blue
and the
Blue Bird
. The originals are in the Iraklio Archaeological Mu-
seum. At the far south end of the Piano Nobile, past the
west magazines
(storage
rooms), steps lead down to the
South Propylaion
adorned with the Cup Bearer fresco.
Make your way back to the central court, briefly popping by the
Prince of the Lillies
fresco on the south flank, then crossing diagonally to get to the impressive
Grand Stair-
case
once leading down to the royal apartments. Study the residential wing's layout from
above before heading down for close-ups of the Dolphin Fresco in the
Queen's Megaron
(room) and the adjacent bathroom. The king resided next door in the
Hall of the Double
Axes
, which takes its name from the double axe marks
(labrys)
on its light well, a sacred
symbol to the Minoans and the origin of the word 'labyrinth'.
In sections further north you'll see parts of the palace's sophisticated
drainage sys-
tem
and
giant pithoi
before returning to the central court.
Getting There & Away
There's no shortage of signs directing drivers to Knossos, but with parking at a premium
in summer, it may be better to take bus 2 from Bus Station A or from just outside the
Hotel Capsis Astoria on Plateia Eleftherias (€1.50, every 20 minutes).
OTHER MINOAN PALACES
Besides Knossos, central Crete has a trio of key Minoan sites that were not recon-
structed and thus provide a glimpse into this ancient society without Evans' inter-
pretations.
Phaestos Φαιστός
Some 63km southwest of Iraklio near Matala,
Phaestos
(
28920 42315; adult/conces-
sion/under 18 & EU students €4/2/free, incl Agia Triada €6/3/free;
8am-7.30pm Jun-Oct, to 5pm
