Knossos

The significant archaeological site of Phaistos will acquire a new, modern appearance through a series of interventions by the Ministry of Culture, aimed at upgrading the visitor service infrastructure.

The Palace of Knossos, the seat of the legendary King Minos on the southern island of Crete, has received visitors to the tune of more than 5,000 daily since early August.

The traffic in the area is at its peak, with the chief warden of the palace, Nikos Papadakis, telling the Athens-Macedonian News Agency that during August, the number of visitors can exceed 200,000.

Conservator Alexander Zokos carefully cleans the elaborate, oval ivory lid of a compass (jewelry box) found in the tomb of of a Bronze Age warrior (Griffin Warrior) at Pylos dated to around 1500 BC, and which was brought to light by archaeologists Sharon Stocker and Jack Davis of the University of Cincinnati in 2015. It depicts the battle between a lion and a griffin, with the former winning.

"If all the paths I've traveled were marked on a map and connected with a line, it might resemble a Minotaur," Pablo Picasso once said.

The Central Archaeological Council is on the cusp of completing the candidacy file for the inclusion of Crete's Minoan-era ancient palaces of Zakros, Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, Zominthos and Kydonia in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The airline's flights to Crete will land in the capital Heraklion

With the beginning of the new tourist season and the warmer days, Bulgaria Air will delight all its passengers with direct flights to one of the most tempting Greek destinations, where the days are long, warm and salty, and the mood - exotic.

The Archaeological Museum of Iraklio presents "Daedalus: In the Footsteps of the Legendary Craftsman," an exhibition dedicated to the achievements of the famed architect of the Labyrinth at Knossos, as well as on other technological innovations from ancient times, particularly during the Minoan civilization, in metalwork, shipbuilding and other fields.

Major Greek museums and archaeological sites will remain open longer as of April 1, with the schedule introduced gradually to other areas as more seasonal staff is hired over the next month, the Ministry of Culture said on Tuesday.
The following museums and sites will extend their opening hours as of April 1 (daily):
- Acropolis and Knossos palace will be open 08:00 - 18:00

Archaeologists have raised the alarm over the prospect that some of the country's most important monuments, such as the Knossos Palace complex on the island of Crete and the Venetian Walls of its capital Iraklio have not been exempted from inclusion in the Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participations (EESYP).

The Culture Ministry said on Friday it will submit the final nomination file to UNESCO at the end of the month seeking the declaration of Crete's Spinalonga islet, with its impressive 16th century Venetian fortress, a World Heritage Site.