⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗ - The Minoan Era (3000 BC

Crete is the birthplace of the first European civilization, the Minoan, which flourished between 3000 BC and 1200 BC mainly in Central and Eastern Crete. Even today, the majestic palaces of Knossos, Phaestus, Malia, Zakros, Tylissos, Arhanes, Monastiraki, Galatas, Kydonia and the luxurious mansions at Agia Triada, Zominthos, Amnisos, Makrigialos, Vathipetro and Nerokouros reflect the splendor of the Minoan civilization through architectural, pottery, jewelry and painting masterpieces.

The Minoan fleet, the strongest of its era, as evidenced by several findings in the Mediterranean, brought wealth to Crete from the trade of the famous Cretan cypress and agricultural products. Built in large yards, such as the shipyard of Agii Theodori at Vathianos Kambos, ships were loaded with timber, honey, wine, pottery and olive oil from the ports of Dia, Katsambas, Komos, Zakros, Psira, Mochlos, Niros, Petras, sailing towards all directions of the Mediterranean as far as Scandinavia.

Women were equal to men and took part in all religious ceremonies, in sports, hunting, theater, dance, etc. Masterpieces of building architecture, painting, sculpture and goldsmithing continue to inspire even modern civilization. Linear A and Linear B Scripts remind of the Egyptian hieroglyphics, but they were original Greek scripts. Even today, the disc of Phaestus is one of the most famous mysteries of archeology and deciphering of its symbols remains a riddle.

The worship of deities such as the Mother Goddess of fertility, the Mistress of the Animals, protector of cities, the household, the harvest, and the underworld dominated the religious tradition of the Minoans, who used many caves and mountain peaks as places of worship. Pilgrims from all over the island ascended to the peak sanctuaries of Youchtas and the cave of Hosto Nero to offer their votives, such as Minoan inscriptions or clay idols. Peak sanctuaries were also hosted atop summits Kofinas, Vrysinas, Petsofas, Traostalos, Karfi, etc. The Diktaean, Idaean and Kamares Caves also played a prominent role in the worship of gods.

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Petsofas Peak Sanctuary

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Petsofas peak is located near Palekastro and above the archaeological site of Roussolakos. In Minoan times here a peak sanctuary was founded where rituals included the deposition of clay figurines of cattle, men and women.

Papadiokambos Fishermen’s House

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At Papadiokambos archaeologists have identified a Minoan house of fishermen and farmers covering 130 square meters, which has provided them with great information about the diet of the Minoans. It seems that the house was destroyed while the housewiveswere cooking waiting for their men,but they were lucky to escape alive (but hungry). But the family dog had a bad fortune, as he was found below the collapsed roofs.

Monastiraki Minoan Palace

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Northeast of the village Monastiraki, at position Kokkinos Harakas, the palatial Minoan buildings were brought to light from excavations that started in 1980. The palace covers an estimated area of about 300 acres and its core has been revealed up to now.

Galatas Minoan Palace

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The Palace of Galatas is located 30km south of Heraklion, near Arkalochori, at an elevated position with views to south Crete and close to the Minoan sacred cave of Arkalochori.

Mochlos islet and Archaeological site

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The islet Scoglio de Muflo of the Venetians, which is the island opposite of Mochlos, seems to have been a very important commercial center and port in antiquity till the Byzantine Era. The island, also called Psilos (i.e. Flea) (opposed to a larger island to the west called Psira, i.e. lice) is an archaeological site that still gets excavated.

Stylos Domed Tomb

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South of Aptera we meet the domed tomb of Stylos that came to light in 1961 (looted) by the archaeologists N. Platon, and K. Davaras. This monumental tomb was of a local lord and has a circular stone chamber and long, road corridor (20,80 m long).

Pirgos site at Myrtos

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The unknown Minoan settlement of Pirgos is located shortly east of the coastal village of Myrtos, by Ierapetra, on a low hill overlooking the east bank of the River Krygios (Cold). It is located on a position overlooking the sea (south) and the forested mountains of Dikti (north) and was selected for settlement by the Minoans ,after leaving the nearby peak of Fournou Kefali. The settlement flourished from 2200 to 1450BC.

Margarites Domed Tomb

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Near the village Margarites we meet is a Late Minoan tomb of 1350 BC, which is considered one of the most important sites of the area. An aisle with carved stones leads to a circular domed tomb. Inside it, the bones of four adults and two children were found. From the findings, it seems that they came from higher social and religious level.

Minoan Era

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