Cretan History

Cretan history is as colourful and enigmatic as the modern island today.

The ancient history of Crete from the pre-palatial period to the Twilight of the Goddess circa 1400BC is rich with research riddles, conflicting theories and exquisite archaeological finds.


Cretan history tells us of the ancient Minoan period from 2600 to 1100 BC, the Geometric and Daedalian period 1100-620 BC, the Classical 500-330 BC and Hellenistic 330-67 BC periods and Greco-Roman period 67 BC-323 AD.


After the First Byzantine period 330-824 came the years of Arab rule between 824-961, after liberation the Second Byzantine period 961-1210 after which came Venetian and Genoan rule then Turkish rule for 400 years. Liberation came again in 1898 after many terrible and rebellious years. Unification with the modern state of Greece came in 1913.

Travellers have long been drawn to the ancient sites and archaeological digs in Crete. Sir Arthur Evans, with his well publicised love affair with Knossos, has created a unique reconstruction of the palace, still debated by historians and locals alike.

The Minoan palaces of Knossos, Malia, Festos and Zakros draw thousands of curious visitors every year. Other extraordinary sites include Gortys, Lato and Polyrinia.

Visit our dedicated pages about the ancient sites of Knossos and Phaistos.

Crete is home to extraordinary historic collections in world class museums.

The history of Crete is told by our beautiful and haunting castles such as Frangokastello (above). Dotted around the island in strategic locations that sometimes today are very isolated, the castles are in various states of ruin. Intrique whispers from every stone of the Castles of Crete…