Crete Attractions
Phaistos © Marsyas
Phaistos
South of Heraklion lies Crete's second most important Minoan
archaeological site, the Palace complex of Phaistos, considered by
many to be a finer example of Minoan architecture than Knossos. The
west propylon, the monumental entranceway to the palace, is
particularly impressive, and the ceremonial staircase and great
court are breathtaking. Like Knossos the site has actually been
built on twice, with the original palace, built about 2,000 BC,
having been destroyed by fire and replaced with a new palace around
300 years later.
Address: 38 miles (61km) south of Heraklion;
Opening time: November to March 8.30am to 3pm; April to October, Monday 1pm to 7pm, Tuesday to Friday 8am to 7.30pm
