Knossos Palace ~ Top Sights Not To Be Missed

Crete’s illustrious history elevates it among the Greek Islands, Crete was the foundation of civilisation’s oldest culture, the Minoans, and the island has inspired epic tales of monsters and heroes.

The Minotaur is one of Crete’s most famous mythical beasts, having the head of a bull and the body of a man, and his home was the Palace of Knossos.

The bronze age palace at Knossos is the largest and most important ancient archaelogical site on the island of Crete, and is a must-see attraction for visitors.

1.    Central Court
Minoan palaces were built around a central courtyard, and at Knossos this would have been the focal point, used for ceremonies and royal audiences.

2.    Piano Nobile

This massive chamber on the upper floor of the palace building was dubbed the “noble hall” by Sir Arthur Evans, who believed it may have been used as an audience chamber by the Minoan monarchs. The walls are decorated with copies of the fabulous frescoes of leaping bull dancers - the most famous images of Knossos.

3.    Dolphin Frescoes
Another famous image from Knossos is that of the leaping dolphins to be found on the walls of the queen’s rooms, which have a bath and a flush lavatory!

4.    Storehouses
Giant earthenware jars, called pithoi, with a capacity up to 200 litres are contained in the storehouses or “magazines”, and were used by the Minoans to store olive oil, olives, grain and other supplies. These massive jars are still produced and used to this day.

5.    South Portico
The imposing south gateway to the palace complex has been partially restored, and is decorated with copies of the flowing Procession fresco.  The roof of this porch was originally supported by four tapering wooden columns.

6.    Great Staircase
Three smaller stairways and a maze of corridors would once have led off the five broad, shallow stone steps of the grand staircase. Four of these wide steps still survive, and a copy of the original Shield fresco, which was found here, decorates this part of the palace complex.

7.    Hall of Double Axes
The hallway leading to the King’s chamber is named after the double-bladed axe symbols carved into its walls and columns. The double axe was a characteristic symbol of Knossos and its empire.

8.    North Entrance Passage
A fresco of a charging bull, one of the enduring symbols of Knossos, adorns the entrance to this passage. Either side of the entrance are ruined chambers and deep stone storage pits. Images of sacred bulls outlasted the enigmatic Minoan civilization and helped foster the legend of the Minotaur.

9.    Throne Room
Here, a stone throne – supposedly that of King Minos – stands next to a basin. The basin is believed to have been used for ritual purification, possibly before sacrifices were made to the gods.

10.    Bust of Sir Arthur Evans
A bust of Evans stands at the site entrance, in honour of the man who first traced the legendary palace of King Minos to this hillside above Heraklion. However, his broad reconstructions of Knossos Palace owe much to his imagination.

…ooOoo…

TIPS TO REMEMBER WHEN VISITING KNOSSOS

Tip 1
Take plenty of bottled water, face wipes, cool spray, as walking around such an expansive ancient archaeological site can be quite exhausting and if you’re not careful, you’ll end up feeling bit of a relic yourself!

If you have small children, be sure to take a stroller, hats and head protection, as well as plenty of sun block.  If it’s windy, it can get a bit dusty, and in high season, it’s plain hot and dry.

Tip 2
The official car park, situated next to the entrance to Knossos, is free of charge. If possible, take a few minutes longer to find a shadey spot to park your car, bearing in mind the movement of the sun. While you’re enjoying Crete’s most famous historic site, your car can transform into a burning hot oven.  You have been warned!

Tip 3
The best time of day to visit Knossos is early morning, before the tourist coaches arrive and disgorge, and before the sun is at its hottest.

Posted in: Crete History, Crete Life | Comments(8)

My partner shot this brief video on Rethymnon beach in Crete, and it’s me in the sea. When I saw this clip, I thought it was hilarious cos of the speed at which the camera shoots back to me, as soon as it’s noticed that someone else has me in their sights!

On the topic of Rethymnon beach, the sea at Rethymnon is always a few degrees warmer than elsewhere along the North coast of Crete, presumably because of the harbour. Rethymnon beach is small, and fronts the busy shopping area, but I’ve never seen it overcrowded, and there is a good atmosphere in Rethymnon.

Posted in: Crete Beaches, Crete Holidays, Crete Towns, Crete Video | Comments(11)

Crete’s Petradi Beach Hotel in Rethymnon is a 3 star establishment 20 minutes walk outside Rethymnon town centre.  Its location is perfect for excursions West to Georgiopouli and Chania, East to Heraklion and Knossos, and South to Plakias and Preveli.

I particularly enjoyed being able to walk to and from Rethymnon, we usually hire a car, but it’s wonderful to be able to wander into town and enjoy a drink or two without it costing a small fortune in cab rides when it’s time to hit the hay.

THE BEACH
The sea isn’t cold, there are spots where it’s well-warmed by the sunshine, and the sand and rock underfoot slopes gently into the depths - with no sudden shelving.  In the shallows, the sea is beautifully clear and you can watch the tiny fishes swimming around your legs and feet.  It’s also enjoyable to wander along the soft sandy beach, and easy-to-climb (or, if you’re me, inelegantly clamber over) rocks, towards Rethymnon. Although, I don’t advise doing what I did, which was to take ages longer than intended and get a sun-burned back!

RETHYMNON
Rethymnon has plenty of modern shops, restaurants and bars, but it’s the Old Town that has all the charm.  It is vibrant and colourful, with tightly crammed buildings housing its inhabitants, whose lives spill out onto the streets from the multitude of balconies.

The streets of Old Rethymnon throng with locals out for an evening, and holidaymakers looking for their dinner and souvenirs.  In the evening, there are wandering minstrels, usually children playing accordions.  It’s only my personal opinion, but I think that people give them money just to shut up and go away - you’ve got to really like accordion music.

HOTEL FACILITIES
The Petradi Beach Hotel offers double rooms, as well as split level apartments with self catering facilities. The apartments have a sitting room on the first level, with a sleeping platform above.  All rooms and apartments have a balcony or terrace, and many offer a sea view.

The hotel has its own swimming pool with an adjoining toddlers’ pool, and is adjacent to a soft sand beach where sun loungers are available free of charge.  Situated conveniently by the pool and the beach, there is a bar that sells hot and cold drinks and snacks, beer and ice-creams.

The Petradi Beach Hotel is very relaxed and the staff are friendly and helpful - between them they speak various European languages, of which I personally heard English, German and French.  The hotel offers internet access from a PC in Reception.

HOTEL FOOD
The Petradi Beach Hotel presents a mouth watering spread for breakfast that should satisfy all tastes and appetites.  There’s plenty of it and it’s all fresh and delicious - various breads, toast and croissants, eggs, bacon, cake, ham, cheese, fresh yogurt, honey, fruit yogurts, fresh fruit and juice, cereals and of course the usual beverages.

Breakfast can be enjoyed in the basement breakfast room or on the attractive terrace overlooking the sea and the Venetian Fortezza in Old Rethymnon, so you can multi-task by sightseeing while you stuff your face!

In the evening, it’s delightful to dine on this terrace, and I highly recommend their Seafood Linguine, made with a dash of Ouzo to impart a delicate bouquet of anise.

HOTEL INFORMATION
The Petradi Beach Hotel is my kind of holiday hotel, being far enough from town to avoid the hustle and bustle, but close enough to walk there when that’s what I crave.

Petradi Beach Hotel and Apartments
Stamathioudaki 79
Rethymnon
Crete
Greece 74100

Telephone:  +30 2831035340
Email:  info@petradi-beach.gr
Website: http://www.petradibeach.gr

All this talk of food is making my tummy rumble, so I’m off to find a snack.

Posted in: Crete Holidays, Crete Hotels, Crete Towns | Comments(2)

A couple of weeks ago, the eminent blogger, Durano Lawayan of the intelligent, humanitarian blog, The Spitting Vessel awarded Crete Delights the Brillante Weblog. To accompany the award, Durano penned the most complimentary testamonial.

“This is an evolving blog of an internet marketer whose evident success has brought her closer to her dream relocation paradise - Crete.  Originally based in the UK, Layne writes in crisp, and at times, irreverent tones, that is spiced with all types of British jargon and topped by that unmistakable English charm and humor.“

“A blogger known for her passionate endorsement of Entrecard and its proper use, Layne is such an unselfish Marketer who would openly and unconditionally provide assistance, seek support for other bloggers’ difficulties, and even empty all her marketing resources to anyone who asks or needs it for free.  Her writing is insightful, funny, and witty, yet full of warmth and enthusiasm - like an 18 year old experiencing her first summer vacation alone with a friend. Crete Delights is a delightful read.”

The requirements of accepting the Brillante Weblog award are:

• Post about receiving the award, and link to the site that nominated yours.
• Pick your own handful of blogs to award the Brillante Weblog.

Below is my selection for the award, and each site has an artiste at its helm - painters, photographers, designers, jewellers, and even a feline fashionista.  The common threads to these sites are creativity, originality, design and beauty, and these aspects are well illustrated by the fresh ideas and beautiful artwork, delicate and desirable jewellery, and inspiring lifestyles.

Triz Designs ~ Beautiful Beading
Ragamufyn ~ Vibrant art, fashion and lifestyle
Daisy the Curly Cat ~ Capers and cartoons
The Bearded Bunny ~ Art for the community
Amy Lilley Designs ~ Art & photography
Gregorio’s Art Studio ~ Art and artefacts

Ragamufyn will say, “who the hell is this person?” as she doesn’t know me from Adam!  I think the rest of you have had some contact with me, though possibly when I’ve been wearing one of my other hats!

If your blog is one of those I’ve listed, you’re under no obligation to do anything whatsoever, just enjoy any additional traffic generated by the gesture.  Some people don’t participate in tags, and sometimes it’s not appropriate for the website itself.

On this occasion, I wanted to acknowledge Crete Delights having received such a glowing testamonial, and that required compiling my own list of award winners, so, enjoy the link love and attention! Kiss, kiss……

Many thanks, Durano.

Posted in: Crete Life | Comments(6)