Crete: Heraklion and Knossos

From Istanbul (see a photo of the spiffy Istanbul Airport first below), we flew to Heraklion, Crete.



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!

The New Istanbul: "If things were dusty 30 years ago, they are certainly glitzy now."

One of the days we took the ferry up the Bosporus to see the tulips at Emirgan Park. We were told tulips are not as good as previous years, but there were certainly very, very many. After a brief visit to the Sakıp Sabancı Museum, we took the bus to Taksim Square, and walked back to Saltanhamet. We had the same walk 30 years ago, but hardly anything is recognizable today. If things were dusty 30 years ago, they are certainly glitzy now.

As usual, our day starts with breakfast on the 6th floor.


Below are views from the ferry.














And we arrive at the Emirgan Ferry Dock after 45 minutes or so.


From the ferry dock it's a short walk to the Sakıp Sabancı Museum, located in the former residence of the Sabanci family










Tulip Festival - Emirgan Park. Not only are there tulips, but also many locals enjoying the nice weather + tulips.


















We rode the bus from Emirgan Park to Taksim Square where we found a bench with a great view of the Taksim Mosque and ate our lunch.


Then walked mostly downhill to Galata on Istiklal Avenue, checking out the architecture, and then across the bridge to Sualtahameth.


This is the Çiçek Pasajı (Flower Passage) arcade. Elegant.




The Art Nouveau Mısır Apartmanı (Egypt Apartment)


The Church of St. Anthony of Padua.




This is the ceiling of the very POSH Kubbeli Lounge in the Pera Palace Hotel. High tea is 80 USD per person. I was a little bit surprised they let us in just to look around - no tea for us. ;-)


The Art Nouveau Casa Botter, complete with Art Nouveau "heads".




Istiklal Avenue ends in Galata and we walked by the iconic Galata Tower. And down the photogenic Kamondo Stairs.




And across the legendary, vibrant Galata Bridge.