Archaeological sites in Heraklion

Crete's Archaeological Wonders

This collection centers on the heart of Minoan civilization near Heraklion, featuring the extensive Knossos Palace complex and its secondary structures like the Little Palace. Beyond the major ruins, it includes the Phourni necropolis, the Anemospilia temple, and the Minoan peak sanctuary on Mount Juktas. The list also highlights later historical layers, such as the Byzantine fortress of Temenos at Roka, the ancient city of Rhizenia near Prinias, and the Venetian-era Morosini aqueduct system that once supplied the city with water.

Crete's Archaeological Wonders — Map

Lapplaender / CC BY-SA 3.0 de

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Knossos

Knossos is a Bronze Age archaeological site in Crete. The site was a major center of the Minoan civilization and is known for its…

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Knossos Palace

Knossos is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and has been called Europe's oldest city.Settled as early as the Neolithic…

El Greco / Public domain

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Historical Museum of Crete

The Historical Museum of Crete is a museum in Heraklion, Crete. It was founded by the Society of Cretan Historical Studies in 1953 and was…

Aquick / Public domain

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Anemospilia

Anemospilia is the archaeological site of an ancient Minoan temple on Crete.

C messier / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Prinias

The site of the ancient Greek city-state Rhizenia. It is significant for its 7th-century BC temples, which yielded some of the earliest known examples of Greek architectural sculpture, including a famous frieze of horsemen and seated goddesses.

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Roka (bouno) - Byzantino kastro Temenos - archaia Lykastos

Located on the steep Roka hill, this site contains the ruins of the 10th-century Byzantine fortress Temenos, established by Nikephoros Phokas. The hill is also identified as the location of the ancient city of Lykastos mentioned in Homeric texts.

Zde / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Nekropole of Phourni

Phourni is the archaeological site of an ancient Minoan cemetery in Crete, established in 2400 BC and lasted until 1200 BC.

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Little Palace at Knossos

The largest subsidiary building of the Knossos complex, dating to the Late Minoan period. It features formal reception rooms and pillar crypts, and was the primary find-spot for the famous ceremonial Bull’s Head Rhyton.

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Minoan Peak Sanctuary

Located on the summit of Mount Juktas, this was the most important peak sanctuary in Minoan Crete. The site features a massive altar and multi-roomed structures where thousands of clay votive figurines and bronze artifacts were discovered.

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Venetian Aqueduct

A significant 17th-century engineering work forming part of the Morosini aqueduct system. This stone-arched structure transported water from the springs of Archanes to the Morosini Fountain in the center of Heraklion.

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