Search the new site:


Phaistos 151 pictures 10.15 minutes HQ video The site flourished between 1900-1700 BC; it was destroyed but rebuilt smaller and subordinate to the powerful "villa" of Aghia Triada nearby. Excavation has unearthed most of the second palace and important sections of the first. It was arranged around a huge central courtyard in accordance with a typical palace-city ground plan. The western and northern wings, and part of the eastern wing, are still extant. Theater Square Stepping to the western square, also called the Theater Square because of the eight long tiers on the northern side, note the changes in level resulting from the different arrangements of the square for the two versions of the palace. It is possible that this space in front of the main access was a sort of agora for public meetings of one sort or another. The facade of the second palace stood on the eastern side of the square. It was originally a two-story building with walls made from stone, wood and unbaked bricks. Steps Steps to the large propylaia Large Propylaia The propylaia were formed by three partitions with openings embellished respectively by a column in antis, a pillar in antis and a tristyle portico. They led into a court from which a door in the southeastern corner led to a stairway. Internal Stairway The Corridor of the Storerooms The storerooms were arranged around a central corridor. There are 13 rooms. In a room on the north-west there is a clay stool which may have been used as a step to reach the large jar next to it. This storeroom had a fine finish; the lower walls were made of alabaster slabs. Cult Chambers Veranda A veranda on the northern side was connected to the two-story royal apartments that can still be seen to the north. These included rooms for private worship and living accommodation and were arranged around skylight shafts to receive natural light. Central Court Here was the center of palatial life. Corridors from all sides led to this court. The paving of the central court belongs to the period of the first palace, but it was reused in the second, when there were various changes to the central court. Royal Quarters The northern section of the palace consists of the two storey King's Megaron and Queen's Megaron. It had floors paved with gypsum benches, and the lower parts of the walls were revetted with gypsum slabs. Most of the floors of the palace were preserved because they were founded on the bedrock, at the point of the hill. Road to the Administrative Office Typical Storage Room Back to Crete Index