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Minoan City - Palaikastro

Lodging list in Minoan City - Palaikastro

Itanos Hotel

Minoan site in Palaikastro
Minoan site in Palaikastro
Palaikastro was one of the largest Minoan cities, about half the size of Knossos, but much larger than the cities around the other important palaces. Extensive excavations are being carried out in the area. In Kastri, on the hilltop near the sea, extensive fortifications from the Early and Late Minoan eras have been found. Below the hill of Kastri there is an area which is protected from the strong winds of this region and which forms a natural anchorage point. It was the harbour of Palaikastro in Minoan times. In front of Palaikastro, the Grand Islands can be seen and, on a clear day, the islands of Kasos and Karpathos are visible. This chain of islands was a natural route from Crete towards Rhodes and Asia Minor in Minoan times.
The large site of Minoan excavations of Palaikastro is located in Rousolacos, not far from the beach. A group of public buildings, whose function is still unknown, have been excavated. A number of important finds including Linear A writing have been found in the area. The Archaeological Museum of Sitia displays the most impressive find--a chryselephantine kouros (Palaikastro Kouros) of exceptional quality which is not to be found after this period for almost another thousand years.
In the Greek era, Palaikastro was known for the dispute between the major Greek cities of eastern Crete, Ierapytna and Itanos, over control of the Temple of Zeus Dicteos of Palaikastro. The location of the temple has been identified but the temple has been destroyed. In the Archaeological Museum of Iraklion there are fragments of the temple which record the Hymn to Zeus Dicteos and a clay tablet with a relief of a chariot scene.

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Minoan site in Palaikastro
Minoan site in Palaikastro
Minoan site in Palaikastro
Minoan site in Palaikastro
Minoan site in Palaikastro
Minoan site in Palaikastro
Minoan site in Palaikastro
Minoan site in Palaikastro
Minoan site in Palaikastro
Minoan site in Palaikastro
Minoan site in Palaikastro
Minoan site in Palaikastro
Minoan site in Palaikastro
Minoan site in Palaikastro
 
Visit the area of the sight: Palekastro - Sitia