Crete prominently and strategically located in East Mediterranean Basin, formed bridge between peoples and cultures of three continents, Europe, Africa and Asia, and was cradle of a splendid prehistoric civilisation in land of Greece, ‘Minoan Civilisation’.
Civilisation was named “Minoan” by Arthur Evans, excavator of Knossos, which, according to myths preserved by ancient writers, was seat of King Minos. Minoan Civilisation is connected to a great chapter in Greek mythology: abduction of Europa by Zeus in form of a bull, ingenious Daedalus and his son Icarus, Minotaur and Labyrinth, seven youths and seven maidens sent from Athens as tribute to Minos, Athenian hero Theseus – who, with assistance of Ariadne, rid his city of this blood-tax, bronze giant Talus and Argonauts, are all inextricably linked with civilisation of Crete and its palaces, and have been a source of inspiration not only for ancient Greek culture but also for world art, music and literature.
Archaeological excavations carried out on Crete from 19th Century onwards continue to reveal, from one end of island to other, from east to west and north to south, this age-old civilisation in all its glory. Its elements have been identified even outside its geographical boundaries, since maritime superiority of Cretan seafarers and their expansion across Mediterranean brought them to prominence, at beginning of 2nd Millennium BC, as a leading power. From their contact with peoples of Mediterranean coast through flourishing transit trade, they absorbed elements of contemporary civilisations, shaping a singular and special cultural foundation that exercised a tremendous influence on Mycenaean and, through it, later Greek Civilisation.
Minoan civilisation that developed over course of 2 millennia (2800-1100 BC) culminated in a high peak for its time, boasting marvellous buildings, a ground-breaking water and drainage system, equal participation of men and women in religious and social life, and masterpieces of art. Major earthquakes that hit Crete shortly before end of Middle Bronze Age resulted in destruction of many Minoan centres, but also led to rebuilding of yet more splendid palaces in immediately ensuing period. Palatial Centres played a vital part in evolution, development and propagation of Minoan civilisation and marked social transformation from proto-urban communities of Early Bronze Age to a multifaceted and hierarchical society. Political, social, economic and religious reorganisation, transformation of private life, and unprecedented cultural development that emerged from gradual centralisation of power and accumulation of wealth, were focussed on palatial centres, each of which covered a large populated area of Crete.
Minoan Palatial Centres stand out for their unique monumental architecture, with its complex internal organisation, which passed into ancient Greek memory as “Labyrinth”. They constituted administrative, economic and religious centres of a wider geographical area and housed multiple activities. They not only contained the residences of rulers and priesthood, but were home to a multitude of people: artisans (metalworkers, potters, weavers, etc.), merchants, scribes. Various events and contests were held around palaces. Notable centres of power in Minoan age were Palatial Centres of Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, Zakros and Kydonia, which are distributed in different geographical units, from eastern to western end of Crete.