Definition of Palace of Knossos

Known essentially through the mythology Greek (and the story of the Minotaur), the Palace of Knossos is not actually the product of a myth but it is truly a royal palace that is located on the most beautiful island of Crete and that it found its period of greatest splendor between the 21st and 18th centuries BC, prior to the development of the civilization Greek. The Palace of Knossos would not be discovered by Western civilization until the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Palace of Knossos is one of the clearest representatives of the presence of an advanced, rich and organized culture such as the Minoan culture on the island of Crete. Although this culture can extend from the years 2700 to 1400 BC, the palace knew its period of importance between the centuries mentioned above, having been destroyed around 1700 BC because of different earthquakes. Despite having been rebuilt, its glory and splendor would never be as before since civilization Minoan was slowly beginning to decline in the face of the emergence of other civilizations such as the Mycenaean.

This fabulous palace is known for having a complex plan of rooms and halls divided into four main wings. I know esteem that there were around 1,300 rooms in it that were used for different purposes such as housing, administrative and government, religious and ceremonial. Here it is central to remember that this palace was the official seat of the Minoan rulers and kings and therefore was the center of all the activities that such a civilization developed. Among these rooms, the Throne Room is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and important, decorated with fabulous murals and columns.

Among the most famous and characteristic details of this palace should be mentioned the beautiful murals that have been found on its walls, murals that represent different typical animals of that region (fish, dolphins, bulls), as well as traditions and traditions, kings and characters with their typical clothes and hairstyles. At the same time, the columns of a strong reddish color, black capitals and a base narrower than the upper part are immediately associated with this palace. Finally, the vessels and ceramic remains that are supposed to have been created to keep food as well as documents and items to be traded, are of great importance to better understand the style life that developed in this culture.