Tourkogitonia Minoan Palace

The Tourkogitonia Minoan palace is the Archanes Palace, excavated in the Tourkogitonia quarter of Epano Archanes in central Crete. The palace was as wealthy and as influential as Knossos, and the two appear to have been bound by strong ties of dependency. Parts of the complex still lie under the modern houses of Archanes.

Archanes town covers the same ground the Minoan town did, which is why the palace has only been recovered in pieces. The town itself is covered on our Archanes page, 0.2 km from the site.

How the Archanes Palace was found

Giannis Sakellarakis discovered the palace in 1964. Only a few remnants of it had been uncovered before the Cretan archaeologist began work in the Tourkogitonia quarter.

What the palace governed

The palace and the Minoan town of Archanes existed to govern the rich and fertile mainland around them. They also oversaw the religious centres of the surrounding region, of which there were three.

• The Anemospilia sanctuary stands 1.6 km from the palace.
• The peak sanctuary on Mount Giouchtas is 1.6 km away and is covered on our Jiouchtas page.
• The necropolis at Fourni lies 1.1 km off, the Fourni Minoan cemetery.

When the palace was built and destroyed

The complex went through the same cycle as the other Minoan palaces of Crete. It was constructed in 1900 BC, damaged by an earthquake in 1700 BC, rebuilt, destroyed again in 1600 BC, reconstructed once more and finally destroyed in 1450 BC.

The town did not end there. After the catastrophe of 1450 BC it prospered again under Mycenaean rule, and that phase ran until 1200 BC.

What has been excavated at Tourkogitonia

The main structure of the palace has been identified at Tourkogitonia, along with several of its rooms and systems. The building probably had two floors, and frescoes covered its walls.

• The theatre area has been traced within the complex.
• The Archive held plaques inscribed with the Minoan script Linear A.
• Sanctuaries and compartments open off the main block.
• An imposing entrance led into the palace.
• Cisterns and a hydraulic system supplied and moved the water.

The finds and where they are displayed

Objects and ritual vessels came out of the palace in quantity. They include figurines, portable altars, decorated jars, vases and cups, steatite seals, ivory human heads and flower pots. Most of them are displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Archanes and at the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion.

What to see near the Archanes Palace

Archanes sits in a cluster of Minoan sites, with two more palaces and several monasteries within a short drive. These are the places we cover closest to Tourkogitonia, nearest first.

• Archanes lies 0.2 km away, the town built over the Minoan one.
• Fourni Minoan Cemetery lies 1.1 km away, the necropolis the palace oversaw.
• Anemospilia sanctuary lies 1.6 km away.
• Jiouchtas Peak Sanctuary lies 1.6 km away, on Mount Giouchtas.
• Kounaviano Gorge lies 3.8 km away.
• Panagia Spiliotissa Monastery lies 4.9 km away, at Houdetsi.
• Spiliotissa Gorge lies 5.0 km away, sharing its name with that monastery.
• Astrakiano Gorge lies 5.5 km away.
• The Knossos Palace lies 6.9 km away, the palace Archanes was tied to.
• Panagia monastery lies 7.4 km away, at Sgourokefali.
• Agarathos Monastery lies 8.1 km away.
• Agia Marina monastery lies 9.4 km away, by Voni.
• Heraklion is the nearest city, and its Archaeological Museum holds much of what came out of this palace.
• Things to do in Heraklion covers the rest of the city.
• The monastery of St George Apanosifis lies 10.3 km away.
• Galatas Minoan Palace lies 10.4 km away, another Minoan palace site.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Tourkogitonia Minoan palace?

The palace is in the Tourkogitonia quarter of Epano Archanes, in central Crete. Knossos lies 6.9 km away and Heraklion is the nearest city.

Who discovered the Archanes Palace?

Giannis Sakellarakis discovered it in 1964. Only a few remnants of the palace had come to light before the Cretan archaeologist started digging in Tourkogitonia, and parts of the complex are still under the modern houses of Archanes.

How does the Archanes Palace compare with Knossos?

The Archanes Palace was as wealthy and influential as Knossos, and the two appear to have had strong ties of dependency. Knossos stands 6.9 km from Tourkogitonia, so the two sites pair naturally on one visit.

What was found at the Archanes Palace?

The excavation produced figurines, portable altars, decorated jars, vases and cups, steatite seals, ivory human heads and flower pots. The Archive of the palace held plaques inscribed in Linear A. Most of the objects are shown at the Archaeological Museum of Archanes and the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion.

When was the Archanes Palace built?

The palace was constructed in 1900 BC. An earthquake damaged it in 1700 BC, it was destroyed again in 1600 BC, rebuilt, and destroyed for the last time in 1450 BC. The town then prospered under Mycenaean rule until 1200 BC.

Which sites did the Archanes Palace oversee?

The palace oversaw the Anemospilia sanctuary, the peak sanctuary on Mount Giouchtas and the necropolis at Fourni. All three lie within 2 km of Tourkogitonia, and its other role was to govern the fertile mainland around Archanes.