We arrived in Herakion in a light rain, and in the next 60 hours we had more than 10% of their annual rainfall. So we scrapped our plan to visit the archeological sites of Minoan Phaistos and Roman Gortyna.
We did manage to begin to learn about the Minoans at the Heraklion Archeological Museum (photos below) and the partially reconstructed site of the Palace of Knossos. I really struggled at Knossos. Halfway through the visit, it dawned on me - this is my first Minoan site (see photos way below). These unfathomable Minoans had multi-story buildings, making it more difficult for me to comprehend, let alone for archaeologists to reconstruct.
There was amazing stuff at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum; for example, this beautiful 2000 BC pottery..
A ceramic vessel showing the Minoan Cult practice of "bull-leaping". The Minoans deified and venerated the bull.
Ivory Bull-Leaper (1600-1450 BC, Palace of Knossos, and Minoan Cult Model of a Chariot Drawn by Bulls (from Karphi).
Bull-Head Rhyton (Vessel) from the Palace of Knossos.
The "Ancient Minoan Board Game" found at Knossos. Notice how the pieces at far right "fit" the circles on the board.
The Phaistos Disc is one of the great unsolved mysteries of archaeology. The symbols are a text in an unknown script and language.
Minoan Ceremonial Double Axes.
The "Harvester Vase" was discovered at the ancient Minoan site of Hagia Triada.
This Limestone Hagia Triada Sarcophagus was found at Hagia Triada.
And some painted stone reliefs uncovered at Knossos, and moved to this museum: Prince of the Lilies (1st), La Parisienne (2nd), Ladies in Blue (3rd).
Sculpture Hall of ancient Greek and Roman statues.
We stayed near Heraklion Port (1st below) and one night wandered down to the Venetian Shipyards (Arsenali - 2nd), and Fort (3rd below).
Then to Saint Titus Cathedral and Morosini Fountain
And our short stroll ended at Veganato Restaurant with a Top Ten Tasty Falafel Wrap with Fries.
The Palace of Knossos is about 15 minutes by bus south of Heraklion Port. The site was "discovered" and excavated between 1900 and 1905 by Arthur Evans. His subsequent disputed restoration of the site continued until 1931.
Throne Room Video.
Grand Staircase (1st and 2nd below) and a courtyard at the lower level (3rd and 4th below).
North End of the site.
And finally, we returned from Knossos to find ourselves in the middle of the celebration of OFI Crete F.C. winning the 2025–26 Greek Football Cup!
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