The palace at Knossos is the center of Greek mythology. Knossos palace

legendary palace

The great city of Knossos, the residence of the legendary king Minos and the capital of Crete, was located on the northern coast of the island, a few kilometers from modern city Heraklion. It was in the city of Knossos that, according to legend, the hero Theseus killed the Minotaur, a monster that lives in a labyrinth and devours people. Ariadne, the daughter of the king, helped him in this, giving Theseus a magic ball.

The labyrinth of the Minotaur could be located near the Palace of Knossos

Moreover, according to one version, the Palace of Knossos was just that labyrinth. Not all researchers agree with this idea, many of them point to the time difference between the appearance of the myth and the construction of the palace. Some researchers suggest that the same labyrinth of the Minotaur should have been located somewhere away from the palace.

Restored ruins of the Palace of Knossos

Miraculous discovery

For the first time, the Greek merchant Milos Kalokerinos drew attention to the ruins of Knossos. But tense relations with Turkey prevented him from getting down to business. Excavations in Crete were also planned by Heinrich Schliemann, the same one who discovered Troy. But circumstances got in the way. That is why the discoverer of Knossos is considered not at all a Greek and not a German, but an English scientist Arthur Evans.

Englishman Arthur Evans excavated the city of Knossos

The archaeologist personally bought up all the lands on which, according to the assumption, the Palace of Knossos was located. Excavations began in 1900. For several months, Evans and his assistants literally pulled a huge architectural complex, which the Englishman dubbed "the palace of Minos." Formally, the excavations ended already in 1905, but small private works continued until 1931.

Bathroom in the palace, illustration from Evans' book "The Palace of Minos"

Palace restoration

Evans was delighted with his discovery, and decided to restore the palace and the paintings found in it at all costs. Partly with his own money, partly with the support of the Crete Exploration Fund, the archaeologist restored ancient building. With his find, he treated freely: it is believed that he completely painted some of the famous frescoes himself, some of the statuettes were assembled almost from randomly typed fragments. Yes, and how much the appearance of the restored palace coincides with how the building looked thousands of years ago is a big question.

Evans identified three forms of ancient writing

However, Evans spent a lot of money on his project and, no doubt, made a huge contribution to the study Minoan civilization. Later he took up the study of Cretan writing. It was Evans who identified three forms of ancient writing - hieroglyphics, linear writing, A and B.

Queen's Megaron, reconstruction

Risen from the ashes

The palace of Knossos was on a hill. Still, it was not in vain that it was compared with a labyrinth - the building was built rather chaotically, so that visitors unfamiliar with the plan often wandered in it for a long time. It was rectangular in plan, but the rooms themselves were randomly arranged around a quadrangular courtyard. The palace was built twice. The first version of the palace, according to legend, was built by King Minos, and Daedalus was its architect. The first building is attributed to about the 2nd millennium BC. e. Around 1700 B.C. e. the palace was destroyed by an earthquake. Some time later it was restored. The "Novodvortsovy period" is considered the heyday of the Minoan civilization.

Throne room in the palace, Evans reconstruction

Between 1648 and 1500 B.C. e. a strong tsunami hit the island due to a volcanic eruption on the island of Santorini. The city was destroyed. For several decades it was covered with a layer of ash. In 1450 the Palace of Knossos was destroyed by fire. Interestingly, during excavations in the city, the remains of people or animals were not found. Probably, the inhabitants of Knossos were warned about the eruption and the impending earthquake and left the city in time, settling on the coast.

Architecture and painting

Frescoes "Parisians"

Knossos Palace is considered the "first skyscraper" ancient world: Some parts of it were five stories high. Natural lighting was used, but there were no windows: holes were made in the roof, which illuminated everything, up to the first floor. They also served as ventilation. The palace was also equipped with running water and sewerage.

The Palace of Knossos had running water and sewerage

Interesting frescoes found in the palace. They were painted on damp plaster with paints. Mostly they depicted plants and various ornaments, but there were portraits of people. The figures on them did not look frozen, and the Palace of Knossos - the so-called "Parisians". They depict women with elegant hairstyles.

Here they are - those ruins that Arthur Evans was so proud of, who excavated Minoan artifacts. Here are the wells in which they kept grain, huge jugs, a stone for sacrifices, the world's first plumbing system, the Queen's bath, the world's first throne guarded by griffins, red irrational columns expanding towards the top, stone bull horns and a labyrinth - a complex system of rooms and palace corridors. According to the myth, the wife of Minos gave birth from a bull - the Minotaur - a monster with the body of a man and the head of a bull, which Minos placed in a labyrinth built by Daedalus. It was possible to enter the labyrinth, but it was impossible to exit. The Minotaur was annually supplied with 7 girls and 7 boys to be torn to pieces. Theseus killed the monster, who was helped by the daughter of Minos - Ariadne, who came up with a trick with a ball of thread, thanks to which Theseus got out of the labyrinth safe and sound. Probably, the myth of the Minotaur is associated with human sacrifices, because in the foundation of the northern wing of Knossos palace complex human bones were found with marks made by a sharp blade. Experts say that the traces were left when the flesh was separated from the bone.
For those who will "twist their noses", claiming that there is nothing interesting in the ruins of Knossos and there is nothing to see there, I want to say only one thing: these ruins (naturally, a huge palace complex, and not its ruins), for a minute, were built about four thousand years ago!!! For comparison: the Roman Colosseum, the Athenian Parthenon, as well as ancient city Hierapolis is already almost twice as young, and the pyramid of Cheops is only five or six centuries older. And it’s impossible not to touch such antiquities! And first you need to look at how, according to archaeologists, the Palace of Knossos looked like during its heyday (the photo was borrowed from the bowels of Wikipedia).
1.

Knossos- an ancient city on the island of Crete, located near modern Heraklion, 4 km from the sea. Main city islands during the Minoan civilization (in Greek mythology associated with the name of the legendary Cretan king Minos), then under the rule of the Achaean Greeks during the Mycenaean civilization. In the era of classical antiquity - the focus of the cult of the Cretan Zeus. According to legend, in the vicinity of Knossos there was a labyrinth of Daedalus, where the Minotaur was imprisoned (according to other sources, the palace itself was the labyrinth of Daedalus, in which it was easy to get lost).
The first to locate the Palace of Knossos and begin excavations was the Greek Minos Kalokerinos, who, among other things, drew attention to a characteristically shaped hill with agricultural land, as well as finds of various objects local residents. Work began in 1878, but was soon stopped by the Turks, who ruled Crete at that time.
Today, the name of Sir Arthur Evans is inextricably linked with the Palace of Knossos. In 1900, he organized large-scale excavations of the Palace of Knossos in Crete. Based on the found sources, he singled out several types of Cretan writing, which he gave the names "Cretan hieroglyphs", "Linear A" and "Linear B". Hoping to independently decipher the Cretan letter, he delayed the publication of the Cretan inscriptions for a long time. He adhered to the incorrect (as it turned out later) hypothesis that none of these scripts could serve to transmit the Greek language. The excavations of Knossos continued until 1931, while the excavations of the palace complex itself were completed after 5 years - a period that is incredible by today's standards. For his services in the field of archeology in 1911, Evans was knighted. However, his "reconstruction" of the palace at Knossos in accordance with his own, often incorrect ideas about its original appearance, is criticized by modern scientists.
Bust of Sir Arthur Evans [35.2979907N 25.1623929E]
2.

Full post

Crete, legendary island according to the myths Ancient Greece. Location of famous heroes and gods. But the legend of the Minotaur, imprisoned in a labyrinth and slain by the brave Theseus, owes more popularity to this island. Studies have shown that it is the palace in Knossos that fully corresponds to the description of the Labyrinth embedded in the myths.

History and description of the Palace of Knossos

According to legend, the gods sent King Minos the son of the half-man, half-bull Minotaur. The Minotaur was settled in a huge palace with a complex structure - the Labyrinth, which was created by the famous architect Daedalus. Anyone who got into the palace could not get out and became a victim of the Minotaur. Once every nine years, the inhabitants of Crete sent seven boys and seven girls as sacrifices. And so it continued until the brave Theseus killed the Minotaur. Theseus got out of the labyrinth thanks to a ball of thread donated by Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos.

The legend remained a legend until, in 1900, Arthur John Evans began excavations on the island of Crete. At that time, he was still an unknown scientist, and no one knew that it was he who would be destined to become the discoverer of the ancient Cretan-Minoan civilization.

On March 23, 1900, Arthur Evans took over the excavation. Just a few hours later, the first contours began to emerge. ancient buildings. A couple of weeks later, before his eyes opened huge area unknown buildings. For forty years, work continued, and the front of excavations only grew. Evans sincerely believed and stated this that the structure he found was nothing but the remains of famous to the world Labyrinth.

Huge size, intricate passages, rooms, courtyards, light wells - with every day of excavation, scientists were surprised by new elements. The layout of the rooms and internal passages really made even skeptics believe in the existence of a labyrinth. For a thousand years of the existence of civilization, the Palace of Knossos in Crete was constantly being completed, overgrown with new passages and streets. All this was cunningly intertwined with external buildings, which in the end made up a whole single complex.

Here, an interesting system was organized to keep the rooms cool. The rooms were made without windows, and a system of light wells was used to illuminate them. Also, through special channels, ventilation was carried out. The presence of a drainage structure is also interesting. In a word, in the palace of Minos at Knossos, everything was aimed at maintaining comfortable living conditions.

The excavations also unearthed the throne room of King Minos, which Evans later restored. A throne convenient for a person, towered on stems carved from stone. The back of the throne, decorated with waves, was attached to the wall. Pictures of griffins froze on the wall. A mesmerizing sight by the standards of an ancient civilization.

But painting and frescoes are recognized as the main asset of the Knossos Palace. Their main plot is the ordinary civilized life of people of that time. Bright colors, ordinary plots, everything is simple and mesmerizing. There is something French about them, even Evans called one of the discovered images of a young woman "Parisian". Any other theme of the Knossos creators is the sea. The fish and dolphins reflect the value of marine resources to the inhabitants of the island. There is another mysterious theme surrounding the past life of Knossos - images of a bull. The bull is everywhere and on everything. Maybe the Minotaur could not have done here?

Fresco "Parisian"

Fresco "Dolphins"

Crete lived and actively developed until in 1400 BC. something did not happen, after which civilization fell into decay. Scientists suggest that the cause is an earthquake that triggered a large tsunami. The tsunami destroyed the defense of the state and allowed it to be plundered by the inhabitants of the mainland.

In any case, Crete left an important mark on history, became the cradle of all later major civilizations, including the Greek one.

Plan of the Palace of Knossos

Greece is rich in historical monuments and natural attractions. Among this wealth, it is even difficult to decide which region of the country to go to and what to watch first. But some attractions, like icing on the cake, more than others attract the attention of travelers from different countries. So, while relaxing in Crete, almost all tourists visit the Palace of Knossos. After all, this is the place where he lived ancient greek minotaur planted in the world's largest maze. It is hard to believe that the mythological story came true and the ruins of buildings have survived to this day. What travelers will find at the excavations of Knossos today - we learn from the article.

1. If you decide to travel by bus from Heraklion to Knossos, keep in mind that the tour takes an average of 2 hours.
2. In summer, it is better to go on an excursion early in the morning, because. later, the midday heat begins, and there is nowhere to hide in the shade at the excavations.
3. Near the Palace of Knossos there is a souvenir shop selling, among other things, maps and guidebooks in Russian.
4. At the entrance to the territory, those who arrived on their own can join organized excursion with a guide. The asking price is 10 euros.
5. Organized next to the entrance small cafe but the prices are very high. If extra spending is a burden, stock up on a small snack and water before the trip.

And, of course, do not forget to wear comfortable shoes and grab a hat that protects from the sun.

Fascinating trips and unforgettable impressions!

In contact with

Classmates

In picturesque Crete, in the vicinity popular resort Heraklion, is the famous Palace of Knossos. He is the most beautiful monument ancient architecture Greece and is shrouded in many myths and stories. It is difficult to find a person who has not heard about the Minotaur and other legends associated with this place. Despite the destructive power of time, barbarians and earthquakes, individual elements of the palace are very well preserved and are of great interest to tourists.

Knossos palace in mythology

In ancient Greek documents, the line between real story and mythology, so it is difficult to say what really happened and what the fantasy of the poets gave rise to. It is assumed that the Palace of Knossos, like most buildings in Crete, was founded by King Minos. He enjoyed the mercy of Zeus and Poseidon, who more than once rescued him in difficult times.

According to legend, Minos was obliged to sacrifice the most beautiful bull to Poseidon, but one day he got greedy and gave a less worthy animal. The angry god, in revenge, awakened his wife's passion for the bull, from the union with which the Minotaur was born - a man with a bull's head.

This creature was very bloodthirsty and demanded human sacrifices. Every year, young men and women were sent into the corridors of the labyrinth to be devoured by the Minotaur, until one day Theseus was among them. The Prince of Athens managed to defeat the cruel Minotaur. True, for this he needed the help of Ariadne, the daughter of Minos. Later, Theseus and his beloved left the island, and a few centuries later a strong earthquake significantly damaged the palace, and almost completely destroyed the labyrinth.

History of the Palace of Knossos

In the architecture of the Minoan period, the Palace of Knossos is considered the largest and most monumental building. It was located in the administrative and economic center of the island. At one place the palace was erected twice. The first building dates back to 1900 BC. It was destroyed by a strong earthquake.

The rebuilt palace the greatest building. For several centuries it has been an important cultural and administrative center until 1500 B.C. the volcano didn't wake up neighboring island. As a result of seismic activity, the strongest tidal waves headed from Santorini to Crete. They caused irreparable damage not only to the Palace of Knossos, but to the entire Minoan civilization.

The ruins of the palace complex were discovered at the beginning of the last century by A. Evans. It was he who worked for several years with his team on the restoration majestic building. Under his leadership, a partial reconstruction of the structures was also carried out, but these works were often criticized by contemporaries.

Description and architectural features

In ancient times, the Palace of Knossos consisted of many interconnected buildings and occupied several levels. Some scientists believe that the labyrinth of the Minotaur was located somewhere near the palace. Others, having studied the intricate plan of the complex, are sure that the palace itself was a labyrinth. It is more correct to call it a city, and not just a palace, because more than 1,300 rooms are located on an area of ​​16,000 m².

Reconstruction of the Palace of Knossos

It is very difficult to find any consistency in the architecture. There is a feeling that it was built by absolutely separate teams. Some rooms are cut into the rock, others are lined with mud bricks. There are few symmetrical details in the building, frescoes and decorative elements are placed contrary to the laws of harmony, but the construction technology is at the highest level.

Some elements are very spectacular and attract the attention of architects, historians and ordinary tourists. One of them are "irrational" columns, painted in ocher and black. They have an unusual shape and are narrowed down.

No less interesting are large staircases made of solid blocks. The stairs had special channels for sewage, thus the ancient sewer system was introduced.

It is surprising that all the buildings are deprived of the windows we are used to. For the penetration of light and ventilation, the builders provided multi-level openings in the ceilings.

Found during excavations a large number of statues, household items and jewelry. Ancient frescoes are well preserved in the decoration of the premises. Traveling around Knossos, tourists seem to move to small bright islands ancient palace. In order not to get lost in the countless corridors, you should use the map of the ruins.

How to get there?

Knossos is located on Crete, near the city of Heraklion. Regular bus lines depart from the bus station every half an hour, and sometimes more often. You can get to the museum by car. So that tourists do not get lost, along the way there are many signs to the main attraction of the island. At the very entrance to the territory of the palace there is a large car park with free entry.
You can visit the palace with a group tour. It is offered in neighboring cities and right on the spot. Near the entrance to the territory of the palace, in about 15-20 minutes, they gather excursion groups for 6-10 people. You can also hire a personal guide.

The museum opens its doors to tourists every day. Hours of operation change twice a year:

• 8:00-19:00 (April-October);
• 9:00-15:00 (November-March).

How to prepare for the tour

The tour of the ruins takes several hours, so you need to have comfortable clothes and shoes, as well as stock up on water. A hat and sunscreen will also come in handy. In the summer months, you should come before lunch or after 16:00, otherwise you can get sunstroke, because there is almost no shade.

To explore the sights in more detail, you can buy a map and a guidebook from the kiosks at the entrance. They are offered in various languages, including Russian.