Lassithi Palekastro Minoan Town

Location: Palekastro

At the northernmost point of the eastern coast of Crete lie the ruins of a once great Minoan Town that flourished during the Bronze Age. Located just two kilometers from the modern village of Palekastro and in the current-day Rousolakos, this historical marvel contains the vestiges of Minoan houses, roads, and art that perfectly encapsulate the rich history unique to the island of Crete.

Brief history

The earliest confirmed habitation of the town dates back to around 2900 BC, with evidence of permanent dwellings and communal ossuaries. From there the population continued to expand and by 1900 BC an impressively large town had been established, with overseas contacts such as Egypt. Its highly strategic position made it an important Minoan center for trade and agriculture.

Throughout its existence, Palekastro saw times of both prosperity and extreme hardship. With natural disasters such as devastating earthquakes or the eruption of Thera, the town was forced to be rebuilt from the ground up more than once, before finally being abandoned by the end of the 12th century BC.

The site of the Minoan Town was first excavated by R.C. Bosanquet in 1902 and by R.M. Dawkins in 1906, both members of the British School of Archeology in Athens. Later excavations were conducted from 1955 to 1966 and were then put on hold, until being resumed once again in 1986 by the British School of Archeology.

The ancient town

Today, visitors of the ancient town of Palekastro will be greeted by the ruins of an impressively complex and well-organized settlement. At its heart, a central street passes through the habitation area and crosses four smaller vertical streets, dividing the town into nine distinct sectors.

Houses with imposing facades would face the main road, with one of the most prominent houses once boasting a main hall with 4 columns, a kitchen, a lustral basin and even an olive oil press installation. In other areas, such findings as a wine press and many vessels, vases and lamps were uncovered, with the vases in particular showing Egyptian influence in their decoration.

At the northeasternmost point of one of the sectors, the sanctuary of Diktaian Zeus was also discovered. This place of worship was the home to many cult practices during the Geometric period, all dedicated to Zeus. Fragments of a slab, on which the Hymn to Diktaian Zeus was inscribed, were unearthed there and are believed to be the first hymn dedicated to a deity in the history of the ancient world. As were the remnants of a gold and ivory figure known as the Palekastro Kouros. Considered a masterpiece of Minoan art, it can now be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Sitia, along with all the other finds from Palekastro.

The ancient settlement is open for visits daily, from 8:00 to 15:00, Mondays and holidays excluded.