Crete History

Stories woven with the threads of time...

Crete History - "the history is as colourful and enigmatic as the modern island today..."

Ancient History of Crete
From 7000-3700 BC...


Ancient History of Crete
From 3700-600 BC...


Minoan Palaces of Crete
Ancient ruins to visit all over the island...


Knossos Crete
The birthplace of Europe...


Phaistos Palace
62 km from Heraklion in central Crete...


Malia Crete
40 km from Heraklion in central Crete...


Zakros Palace
140 km from Heraklion is located in eastern Crete...


Arthur Evans
The creative mind behind Knossos Palace...


King Minos
The mythological King of Crete...


Vritomartis
The mythical Goddess of Crete...


Castles of Crete
Dotted all around the island...


History of Crete - Books
Books and resources about Cretan history...


Minoan Art
The Frescoes of Knossos...


Arkadi
A story of rebellion...


Gortyna
Ruins of a Roman town 50 kms south of Heraklion...


Museums of Heraklion


Olous
Beneath the waters of Elounda Bay...

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From the Minoans of ancient times, through the miraculous discoveries of archaeology, such as linear scripts, revealing layer upon layer of civilisation, dynasties, rulers, monarchs, despots, pirates, traders, goddess worshippers, plunderers, creators, liberators, heroes and in between the stories, the pages, we find the soul of the people of Crete.

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.

Crete History

Stories tell 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.

The pantheon of Greek Gods and Goddesses weave their plots and stories over Kriti. Crete is home to many tales of strife, love, war and bloodshed. The myths, some of the earliest story-telling are still relevant and saucy today.

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, Phaistos, Malia and Zakros draw thousands of curious visitors every year. Other extraordinary sites include Gortyna, Lato and Polyrinia.

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

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

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The Castles of Crete...

The stories of Crete history are 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...

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