Knossos

Had a great trip out to Knossos site with Chris and Dessi. It is an amazing Minoan Palace dating from 1900BC which was extensively excavated by Arthur Evans in 1900. He restored sections of the building and reconstructed some of the frescos.

An overview of the site as we approached. Arrived at 8.30am and the place was deserted.

A beautiful setting

Some of the store rooms with two original storage pots (pithoi). These would probably have contained olive oil

A massive site - the palace itself covered 150,000sq. ft. Some parts were single storey and some 2 or 3 storeys. This was the home of King Minos and the extensive corridors and many rooms inspired the  legend of Theseus and the Minotaur. The "labyrinth" was constructed by Daedalus who later escaped with his son Icarus.

Some parts have been reconstructed with concrete lintels indicating where the wooden beams would have been. There has been much criticism of Arthur Evans work and use of concrete but it does give a feel as to how it might have looked.

Frescoes have been remade from sections that have survived

Chris and Dessi on the steps up to the theatre area

Fresco showing the rite of passage where boys had to leap across the bull's back while one woman holds the bull's horns and another is ready to catch him. Women were painted in white and males in red.