Archaeological Area Tylissos
The archaeological site of Tylisos is situated in the village of Tylissos, 16km west of Heraklion, in a strategic location near the east slopes of the Psiloritis range.
Tylissos was a Minoan city that flourished between 1650-1450 mainly because it was located along the road that connected Knossos to the Minoan centers of West Crete and Ida Mount. In 1450, it was destroyed but was later rebuilt and prospered until 1200.
What survives is 3 Minoan mansions, labelled A, B and C, standing inside the modern village. Excavation began here in 1912, and the finds include bronze cauldrons, Linear A inscriptions and murals.
The three mansions of Tylissos
Tylisos features three small palaces (mansions) known as Mansion A, B, and C. Their architecture is among the most impressive in Minoan Crete, rivaling that of other major palaces of the era. Mansion A survives in the fullest state of the three. It had two floors with a central courtyard, apartments, and warehouses with jars. Mansion B contains very old ruins, while Mansion C housed a central chamber and a system for water supply and sanitation.
Excavations and what they found
Excavations at Tylisos began in 1912 by Iosif Hatzidakis, following the accidental discovery of three large bronze cauldrons – boilers. Later, in 1940, Nikolaos Platon carried out extended restoration and maintenance works. Due to the discovery of the boilers and one impressive bronze figurine of exceptional art, Tylisos is believed to have been a significant center of bronze.
Furthermore, archaeologists found several plaques and jars inscribed with Linear A in Tylisos, which is the “language of the palaces” as it has been detected only in palaces and luxurious Minoan mansions. Other impressive items include the murals, which are compared in fine art only with those of Knossos. Additionally, many tombs have been found in the area (many of them already plundered) dating back to 1400-1200BC with painted clay sarcophagi, jewelry, stamps, etc.
Things to do near Tylissos
5 stops sit within about 9 km of the site, listed here nearest first.
- Walk a short gorge. Almiros Gorge begins 4.5 km away and is an easy hike west of Heraklion.
- Stop in a hill village. Marathos lies 6.9 km from the site.
- Swim on the Heraklion coast. Pantanassa is 6.6 km away, Ammoudara 7.2 km and Paliokastro 7.7 km.
- Visit a monastery above the sea. Savvathiana Monastery near Rogdia stands 8.5 km off, with Spiliotissa Gorge 8.1 km away, also at Rogdia.
- Add another gorge. Santorinios Gorge is 8.5 km from Tylissos.
Getting to Tylissos
Drive 16 km west of Heraklion to the village of Tylissos, where the archaeological site stands within the village itself. The position was a strategic one in Minoan times, near the eastern slopes of the Psiloritis range.
Several other stops sit within about 11 km. Silva Daskalaki Winery is 10.1 km from the site and Saint George Gorgolainis Monastery 10.7 km, Fodele village and Ligaria beach are both about 11 km away, and Heraklion is the nearest city.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the archaeological site of Tylissos?
Tylissos lies 16 km west of Heraklion, inside the village of the same name. The site sits near the eastern slopes of the Psiloritis range, on what was the road from Knossos to western Crete.
What is there to see at Tylissos?
3 Minoan mansions, labelled A, B and C. Mansion A is the most fully preserved, with 2 floors, a central courtyard, apartments and storerooms holding jars. Mansion C kept a central chamber and a water supply and sanitation system, and Mansion B holds the oldest ruins of the three.
How old is Tylissos?
The city flourished between 1650 and 1450 BC. It was destroyed in 1450, rebuilt afterwards, and remained prosperous until 1200. Tombs in the area date from 1400 to 1200 BC.
Who excavated Tylissos?
Iosif Hatzidakis, from 1912. He started work after 3 large bronze cauldrons were found by accident, and Nikolaos Platon carried out restoration and maintenance in 1940.
Why does Tylissos matter to archaeologists?
Tylissos matters because of its bronze finds and its Linear A inscriptions. The cauldrons and a bronze figurine point to a centre of bronze working, and Linear A has been found only at palaces and luxurious Minoan mansions, which places Tylissos in that group.
What was found in the tombs at Tylissos?
Painted clay sarcophagi, jewellery and stamps. Many of the tombs in the area had already been plundered before excavation, and those recorded date from 1400 to 1200 BC.
Location
Archaeological Area Tylissos is located at Archaeological Area Tylissos, in the Heraklion region of Crete. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
