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The Palace of Phaistos has its ruins situated 58km south of Heraklion, at the end of the Mesara plain in Central Southern Crete. The palace of Phaistos was constructed on a low hill in the Messara plain, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area. It is the second-largest Minoan palace after Knossos, covering an area of 1.8 hectares.
Inhabited since 6000 BC, the city prospered alongside Knossos until the 1st century BC. Phaestus is renowned for its Minoan palace, an accessible archaeological site that attracts thousands of visitors annually. Built around 2000 BC, legend has it that Minos, the king of Knossos, was responsible for its construction. The palace’s king was Minos’ brother, the mythical Rhadamanthys, the second son of Zeus and Europa, known for his fairness. He is credited with writing the Cretan Code, the first standards of Justice, later adopted by the Spartans. Due to his fairness, he was appointed as a judge in Hades after his death, just like his brother Minos.
An earthquake destroyed the palace around 1700 BC, but it was promptly rebuilt. Phaestus then declined, and the nearby settlement of Agia Triada flourished, which can still be visited today. Phaestus remained southern Crete’s most important religious center. After the 1450 BC destruction (possibly due to an earthquake), Phaestus recovered and minted its own currency. This resurgence lasted until the first century BC when neighboring Gortyn destroyed it, later becoming the new capital of Crete during Roman times.
The structures visitors see today in Phaestus date back to 1700-4150 BC and, unlike Knossos, have not been restored with cement. Excavations began in 1900 by the Italian Archaeological School, led by Federico Halbherr and Luigi Pernier, while Doro Levi conducted them from 1950-71.
The palace entrance begins at the paved north-western court (1). From there, a staircase leads to the west terrace (4) with a small theater and the tripartite sanctuary (3). Another grand staircase leads to the central courtyard and the western storehouses (6). On the opposite side, you will see the ruins of the altar and the entrance to the royal rooms. On the south side of the court lies the Neolithic kiln and the Temple of Rhea (7). To the east (8) lies the palace of the Prince and beyond that, you will encounter the mining furnace. The north palace housed a separate building, called the Archive (9), where the famous Phaestus Disc was discovered. The disc is made of clay and both its sides are engraved with 241 symbols in a spiral direction that has not yet been deciphered by archaeologists. Next to the Archive, you will see the apartments of the Queen and the King (9), and the reservoir basin.
Get directions to Minoan Palace of Phaistos
Find below the list of hotels near Minoan Palace of Phaistos:
Arbona Apartment II, a property with a garden, is situated in Vóroi, 47 km from Psiloritis National Park, 200 metres from Museum of Cretan Ethnology, as well as 2.7 km from Phaistos. This property offers access to a terrace, free private parking and free WiFi.
The air-conditioned apartment is composed of 2 separate bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and a fridge, and 1 bathroom. Towels and bed linen are available in the apartment.
Arkadi Monastery is 48 km from the apartment. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 57 km from Arbona Apartment II.
from
€98
/night
Located in Vóroi, 48 km from Psiloritis National Park and 300 metres from Museum of Cretan Ethnology, Avli House Vori offers air conditioning. It features barbecue facilities, inner courtyard views and free WiFithroughout the property.
The holiday home is equipped with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a patio with garden views.
A a baby safety gate is also available at the holiday home, while guests can also relax on the sun terrace.
Phaistos is 2.9 km from Avli House Vori, while Arkadi Monastery is 49 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 57 km from the accommodation.
from
€87
/night
Situated in Vóroi, 47 km from Psiloritis National Park and 600 metres from Museum of Cretan Ethnology, Stonehouse South Crete features air-conditioned accommodation with a patio and free WiFi. The property features inner courtyard views and is 3 km from Phaistos and 48 km from Arkadi Monastery.
The holiday home with a terrace and mountain views has 2 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a fridge, and 1 bathroom with an a bath or shower.
Hiking can be enjoyed nearby.
The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 57 km from the holiday home.
from
€91
/night
Offering pool views, Olitrus Villa Kamilari is an accommodation located in Kamilari, 50 km from Psiloritis National Park and 3.8 km from Phaistos. This villa has a private pool, a garden, barbecue facilities, free WiFi and free private parking.
The villa with a terrace and mountain views features 3 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, and 2 bathrooms with a walk-in shower. The air-conditioned villa also provides a seating area, washing machine and 2 bathrooms with bathrobes.
The villa offers a picnic area. A kids pool is also available for guests at Olitrus Villa Kamilari.
Museum of Cretan Ethnology is 6.7 km from the accommodation. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 60 km from Olitrus Villa Kamilari, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Τhe stone-built Villa Fabrika is quietly located in Faneromeni Village in the Crete Region, 60 km from Heraklio Town. A private, furnished courtyard is offered. Free WiFi is featured throughout the property.
The property features a seating area, a dining area and a kitchen. Two bedrooms and a private bathroom are offered. Towels and bed linen are available at Villa Fabrika. The holiday home offers free private parking on-site. Guests can enjoy the outdoor grill.
Guests will find supermarkets, traditional markets, a pharmacy and banks in the nearby area.
Vori Village is 2 km from Villa Fabrika, while Timbaki Town is 8 km away. Heraklion International Airport is 61 km from the property.
Featuring garden views, Villa Venetico stone retreat with garden provides accommodation with a patio and a kettle, around 50 km from Psiloritis National Park. This property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi.
The villa is equipped with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views.
A a baby safety gate is also available at the villa, while guests can also relax in the garden.
Museum of Cretan Ethnology is 2.4 km from Villa Venetico stone retreat with garden, while Phaistos is 5 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 59 km from the accommodation.
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