Building of the First Minoan Palaces: What Happened
Around 1900 BC, the Minoans of Crete began building large palace complexes at Knossos, Phaistos and Malia, and later at Zakros in the east of the island. These were far more than royal residences. Each palace was a center of power that collected and stored the surrounding region's harvest, organized craft workshops, hosted religious ceremonies and managed trade with the wider Mediterranean. They were built around a large central courtyard and held storerooms lined with huge clay jars, called pithoi, for grain, wine and olive oil. To track all these goods, palace officials kept records in early scripts, first Cretan hieroglyphs and later Linear A, neither of which has been deciphered. The palace workshops also produced Kamares ware, a thin, brightly painted pottery that was exported as far as Egypt. Around 1700 BC, the first palaces were destroyed, most likely by earthquakes. The Minoans rebuilt them on an even grander scale, launching the golden age of Minoan Crete and creating the palace of Knossos that visitors explore today.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were the first Minoan palaces built?
The first Minoan palaces were built around 1900 BC at Knossos, Phaistos and Malia on Crete. Zakros, in the east of the island, followed later. This period is known as the Old Palace or Protopalatial period.
What were Minoan palaces used for?
Minoan palaces were centers of power, not just royal homes. They stored the region's harvest, organized craft workshops, hosted religious ceremonies and managed trade across the Mediterranean.
Which is the largest Minoan palace?
Knossos, near modern Heraklion, was the largest and most important Minoan palace. Phaistos in southern Crete was the second largest, and Malia on the north coast was third.
What happened to the first Minoan palaces?
Around 1700 BC, the first palaces were destroyed, most likely by earthquakes. The Minoans rebuilt them on an even grander scale, starting the golden age of Minoan Crete known as the New Palace period.
Can you visit the Minoan palaces?
Yes. Knossos, Phaistos, Malia and Zakros are all open to visitors on Crete. Knossos is the most visited and lies just a few kilometers from Heraklion, where the Archaeological Museum displays many palace finds.
