What to look for at Knossos Palace near Heraklion

Knossos stands about five kilometers south of Heraklion on Crete. The palace had several stories, so two rooms that appear close together on a flat plan can occupy different levels. Keep the open courts in mind as you walk. They make the arrangement of the palace much easier to understand.

What is the difference between the West Court and the Central Court?

The West Court was a formal approach to the palace and a place for ceremonies. The Central Court sits inside the complex, with wings arranged around it, and provided space for public gatherings. Find both on the visitor plan before following the route. As the passages turn or the ground level changes, look back at the plan to see which side of the central space you are on.

What details should I look for around the Throne Room and Grand Staircase?

On the west side, the gypsum seat in the Throne Room is flanked by benches. Nearby ceremonial rooms share this wing with spaces used to administer the palace. Across on the east, the Grand Staircase linked levels serving large rooms such as the Hall of the Double Axes. Light wells and multiple doorways give clues to how people brought daylight into such a deep building.

Where are the original Knossos frescoes?

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum holds original wall paintings and other finds from the palace, including vessels and Linear B records. Plan the museum as a separate city stop. At Knossos itself, the colored architecture visitors see includes extensive reconstruction by excavator Arthur Evans. Use the palace visit to understand the spaces the paintings occupied, then the museum visit to inspect their surviving details.