Knossos is an archaeological site and ancient urban centre in Crete, Greece. It is located within the southern periphery of Heraklion, about 5 km (3.1 mi) south of the city's historic centre. The site was occupied from the Neolithic period into the first millennium AD and became the largest and best-known centre of the Minoan civilisation.

First Palace period

The first palace at Knossos was constructed around 1900 BC. It marked a major shift in the organisation of the settlement and the surrounding region. The palace appears to have functioned as a centre for administration, storage, redistribution, ritual activity and craft production. The use of writing systems, sealings and specialised storage areas points to a complex bureaucracy.

The first palace was destroyed around 1700 BC, probably by an earthquake or a series of seismic events. The palace was subsequently rebuilt on a larger and more elaborate scale.

Second Palace period

The Second Palace period, from about 1700 to 1450 BC, was the height of Minoan Knossos. The palace was reconstructed with its central court, monumental entrances, staircases, magazines, reception rooms, ritual spaces, light wells, drainage systems and richly decorated wall paintings. The surrounding town also expanded.

Mythology

Knossos was central to several of the best-known myths of ancient Crete. In Greek tradition, it was the seat of King Minos, son of Zeus and Europa. Minos was remembered as a powerful ruler, lawgiver and judge. The most famous myth connected with Knossos is the story of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur. According to the myth, Minos ordered Daedalus to build the Labyrinth to contain the Minotaur, a creature with the body of a man and the head of a bull. Athens was forced to send young men and women as tribute until Theseus, helped by Minos's daughter Ariadne, entered the Labyrinth, killed the Minotaur and escaped by following a thread.

Other myths connected with Knossos include the story of Daedalus and Icarus, who escaped from Crete with wings made by Daedalus. These myths became central to later Greek, Roman and European art, literature and political symbolism. The association between Knossos and the Labyrinth has been interpreted in several ways. Some scholars have connected the word "labyrinth" with the labrys, or double axe, although this interpretation remains debated. The palace's complex plan, with its courts, corridors, staircases and multiple levels, probably contributed to the later Greek image of Knossos as the home of the Labyrinth.

Palace complex

The palace was continuously renovated and modified throughout its use. Its visible form largely belongs to the Second Palace period, although earlier and later phases are preserved within and around the complex. The palace formed part of the surrounding town.

Storage and administration

The palace contained extensive magazines, especially in the west wing. These long storage rooms held large ceramic jars, or pithoi, used for storing oil, grain, wine and other commodities. Storage, recording and redistribution were central features of palatial administration. Administrative evidence includes sealings and Linear B tablets. These records suggest that the palace controlled or monitored agricultural production, livestock, craft activity and offerings. The use of writing at Knossos is one of the key indicators of its bureaucratic role in the Late Bronze Age.

Water, drainage, lighting and ventilation

The palace incorporated drains, water channels, light wells, staircases, timber-reinforced masonry and multi-storey construction. The use of light wells, open courts, porticoes, shafts and pier-and-door partitions allowed internal rooms to receive daylight and air despite the density of the building. Because of its position on Kephala hill, the palace also received summer sea breezes. The architectural use of open shafts and light wells has been interpreted as part of a broader environmental strategy in the New Palace period, helping to bring natural light and airflow into the deeper parts of the complex and contributing to internal comfort in warm conditions.

Minoan builders used a variety of materials, including limestone, gypsum, timber, rubble masonry and plaster. Wall paintings, painted plaster, stone revetments and architectural ornament gave parts of the palace a highly decorated appearance.