On a recent trip to Greece, we re-visited Santorini (also known as Thera), and Crete, two of our favorite islands, both for their magnificent archaeological sites as well as for their beauty. Both islands house ancient sites that are well known, Akroteri on Santorini and the Palace of Knossos on Crete. Unfortunately, Akroteri has been closed on our two most recent trips due to an unfortunate accident at the site. Much of the most important material from Akroteri is in the Archaeological Museum in Athens as well as in a small museum in Fira, Santorini's major town.

Crete's Palace at Knossos, once totally open to visitors to roam more or less at will, is now much restricted to keep visitors at a distance from fragile art and architecture. Knossos was the seat of the legendary King Minos and the main centre of power in Crete. The site has often been associated with the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur due to the labyrinthine structure of the palace area.

The original Palace at Knossos was destroyed around 1700 BCE. It was rebuilt and destroyed again, probably by fire from a vocanic eruption ca. 1350 BCE. and never inhabited again.
The Palace of Knossos has become the quintessential symbol of Minoan civilisation, due to its sophisticated construction, architectural plan, advanced building techniques and impressive size.

The first large-scale excavation at Knossos was undertaken in 1878 by the wealthy art-lover Minos Kalokairinos, while Crete was still under Turkish occupation. But most of the credit and fame for Knossos goes to Sir Arthur Evans who excavated at the site from 1900-1931, The actual palace complex was excavated in only five years. Most of Evans fame comes from his restorations at the site, strongly criticized by modern archaeologists who condemned his use of concrete which they considered a danger to the existing Minoan structures. It is much of Evans imaginitive vision and restorations that give us our current vision of Knossos as it was in the Bronze Age.

Excavations continue at Knossos, and a conservation program is underway to halt the deterioration of the Palace as well as to restore some of Evans' restorations.