Myths & Minoans

Crete, the largest of the Greek islands and steeped in history, is almost a separate country. The present capital, Heraklion, dates back to the Neolithic period (c 7000-3500 BC) and served as the port for Knossos. Roman, Byzantine and Arab occupation was followed by a period of Venetian and then Ottoman rule until the Greek War of Independence fi nally united the island with Greece.

Exploration naturally begins at the Minoan Palace at Knossos whose restored ruins mark the site of the palace c1700BC. Vast, absorbing and puzzling its ruins are deeply associated with mythology - the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur and of the birth of Zeus in a Cretan cave come to mind. Heraklion has a wealth of Venetian architecture and its Archaeological museum houses the world’s greatest collection of Minoan art including fi ne frescoes, artefacts and statues. One of the most elegant and scenically attractive resorts on the island is Elounda, overlooking the island of Spinalonga with its Venetian fortress. A short bus ride away on the bay of Mirabello lies the resort town of Agios Nikolaos, which has interesting folk and Archaeological museums and is a good base for buses into the surrounding area as well as boats to Spinalonga.