CRETE offers fantastic views of varied, rich, pastoral scenery. A central mountain chain runs east/west across the island which supports an alpine flora, dotted with plains and plateau, sliced by deep gorges. The best way to explore the island is to rent a vehicle and go from East to West and from North to South on your own. There are many breathtaking locations, ideal for nature lovers, with the gorge of Samaria being the most important. The climate is very good with sunshine most of the year. Crete has long been the Mediteranean's most important meeting place of seas, continents and civilizations. .......Find out more about Crete.
The recorded history of Crete began around 4000 BC. The Minoan civilization developed on Crete and persisted here for over 1000 years, the peak years being between 1700-1400 BC. The Minoan culture developed the first Greek government and religion, and left a rich history of art, particularly frescoes, which indicate a powerful and wealthy culture. The Minoans also produced a number of impressive palaces as Knossos, Phaistos, Malia and elsewhere. Around 1400 BC the Minoans were overwhelmed by a disaster, which may have been the eruption at Santorini and/or a Mycenaean invasion. After the catastrophe, the Minoan culture hung on for several centuries longer as refugees brought it to the mainland.
You will have the chance to see the ruins of the two palaces at Knossos and Phaistos. Knossos is located in the north-central section of Crete near Heraklion and is by far the most well known ruins on Crete. Phaistos is not as well known and is located in the south-central section of Crete near the beach resort town of Matala. In their present day condition the two palaces are very different but it is worth visiting both due to these differences.
Archeologists have found that both Knossos and Phaestos (as well as all the other palaces) underwent two phases of construction. The first phase was from 1900-1700 BC. A great earthquake destroyed the palaces in 1700 BC. Construction began again in 1650 BC and went until the great Minoan catastrophe in 1400 BC, which left them permanently ruined.
By visiting both Knossos and Phaistos you get a good combination of seeing how impressive these palaces were through the reconstructions at Knossos but also a chance to experience only the original artifacts at the relatively undisturbed ruins of Phaestos.
Heraklion is the largest town in Crete and the main port of the island connected by air and sea with the rest of Greece. The town offers many historical images such as the famous preserved Venetian buildings, many Byzantine churches and monasteries and of course the superb Archaeological Museum with findings from the Minoan period as well as the Historical Museum with Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish eras exhibits.
Heraklion is an interesting town for several reasons.