Crete History

Stories woven with the
threads of time...

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

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. 

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 Palace

Knossos Crete - the birthplace of Europe... Tips for Visiting Knossos Archaeological Site Map of Knossos

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...

Sir Arthur Evans Biography 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...

Moni Toplou A historic monastery in eastern Crete...

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

Museums of Heraklion How to see the collections including the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion which houses artifacts from Knossos...

Olous Beneath the waters of Elounda Bay, snorkel to discover hidden remains of an ancient town...

Zeus Cave History and myth - how to get to this cave on the slopes of Mt Ida or Psiloritis...

Crete History

Griffin Fresco from Knossos Palace

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

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.

Minoan Fresco of Women in Blue from Knossos Palace

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.

The Castles of Crete...

The stories of Crete history are told by our beautiful and haunting castles such as Frangokastello. 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...

The Kazarma in Sitia

Minoan Palaces

Knossos Palace Site

Phaistos Palace Site

Malia Palace Site

Zakros Palace Site

Videos of the Rich History of Crete

The video below features a modern woman who reminds us of the beautiful 'Women in Blue' Fresco and takes us on a lyrical journey through Knossos, the Archaeological Museum, showing some of the most precious artifacts from all of Crete...

The video below is entitled "Unravelling Ariadne's Thread Ξετυλίγοντας το μίτο της Αριάδνης…" and takes us on a magical journey through the historic wonders of Heraklion... featuring the old harbour, the fortress, the Liondaria Fountain, the Venetian Loggia, Agios Titos, and many other features of this beautiful city, lead by an entrancing beauty 'Ariadne' and her string...into the Crete history Labyrinth we willingly follow...

On the Map

See the location of historic points of interest in Crete on the interactive map below...