Phaistos (it’s also called Festos) palace lies on the Messara Plain, the most riches and fertile plain of the island, at the point which is dominated over the plain and from which it could be easily controlled.
This is the one of the ancient palaces (and may be the fortress) known on the Earth.
Phaistos has been built in the 2000 BC by Minoan civilization, the first European civilization.
It was the civilization of sailors and traders. The Minoans established their connections with almost all nations from the Mediterranean. The conducted their business with Egypt and with Asia Minor. And of course with the mainland of Europe, bringing the light of civilization to the European tribes.
I don’t believe that they were peaceful. As we know from ancient Greek legends, they were the pirates and imposed the contributions where it was possible.
May be you heard about the famous legend of Minotaur. According this legend, each year Athenians paid horrific contribution to the Minoans – 7 boys and 7 girls which were used to feed the Minotaur (half bull and half man creature). This creature lived in the place called the Labyrinth.
Of course were no labyrinths on the Crete. For Greeks the palaces, like Phaistos, which were built over the island, seemed as the real labyrinth.
Today is still unknown whether these buildings were the palaces, fortresses or some sacral places. May be the combined all these functions.
It’s known 4 or 5 such palaces on the Crete. Most famous from them – is a Knoss, but for me the Phaistos palace is more attractive. Knoss was remodeled when its excavation took place. And it’s was not restored as it was few thousands years ago. It’s has the guise of how the archaeologists imagined it should be.
The Phaistos palace – is a different story. It was left in the state it was discovered without any refurbishment. Of course you will need some imagination during your Festos visit but I think you definitely have it.
Like other palaces on the Crete Phaistos was destroyed after volcano eruption at Santorini island and followed tsunami at the 1450 BC. This disaster led to the fade of the Minoan civilization.
But even after disaster Phaistos was inhabited until 200 BC when the city was destroyed during the attack from the neighbor city of Gorthina. Despite the fact that the Phaistos was mentioned by Gomer it’s was not as important as before the natural disaster.
The place was discovered in the 1900 by Italian archaeologists. During the excavation so called Phaistos Disk has been found (you can see it know at Archeological Museum of Herakleon). This disk contains undeciphered letters which is reckoned as most ancient letters of Europe.
And I also want to recommend you visit Matala Beach which is located not far from the Phaistos. At the era of Minoan civilization this beach has been used as port of the Phaistos.
