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Phaistos - Minoan Palace
By Katia Luz
The Fascinating History of Crete
The ancient site of the Palace of Phaistos, Φαιστός lies 62 km south of Heraklion, in the central south of the island of Crete in Greece.
About Phaistos
This site is significant in European history as records indicate it was inhabited since the Neolithic age, that being roughly since 4000BC. The lush valley of the Messara provided plenty of sustenance to early communities and succeeding societies.
In prehistoric times, types of dwarf elephant and dwarf hippopotamus lived here, although these species are now extinct, and the area is now known for its market gardens producing vegetables and thousands of acres of olive groves.
The site now contains Minoan ruins from the Palace of Phaistós, considered the second-most important Minoan palace on the island. The ruins are extensive and worthy of a day's visit. The views across the valley and over to the Psiloritis mountains are an added pleasure whilst exploring the site.
It is also known as Phaestos, Festos or Phaestus.
Looking towards the Psiloritis range from PhaistosThe most intriguing artifact found here is the Phaistos Disc. This circular flat clay tablet, dated around 1500BC, shows a number of imprints of symbols, leading to many different interpretations of its use and meaning; still not resolved to this day. The symbology found on the disc resembles the symbology found on clay seals found in many archaeological sites throughout the Mediterranean and thought to be some early trading record. The Phaistós Disk is now displayed at the Archeological Museum of Heraklion.
Other structures were built on this same site during the Hellenistic period, including the Temple of Rhea. During Roman occupation the nearby city of Gortyna prevailed, leaving these settlements in ruin.
The site lies just off the national road 9 km south of the town of Moires.
There is a comprehensive bookstore, café and souvenir store at the site, and plenty of parking.
Be careful to check opening hours during the off-season as the hours may vary.
Many travellers combine their visit to Festos with a visit to the ruins
of Gortyna, where, as legend has it, Zeus made love to Europa under the
plane tree. Gortyna is 17 km from Phaistos.
Exploring Around
The roman ruins at Gortyna
Combine a visit to this archaeological site with a visit to Gortyna (above), just 22 km to the east. If you are coming from Heraklion, visit Gortyna, then Phaistos and then head to the beach at Matala or Kokkinos Pirgos for a seafood lunch by the bay.
A day trip to Phaistós can also easily be combined with a visit to the beach at Matala Beach, where there are also ruins of roman caves and a very interesting history.
Another nearby beachside village is Kokkinos Pirgos, a sleepy fishing village on the south coast where visitors combine sea, sand and history, and a visit to the Red Castle Fish Taverna.
Another more mountainous route is to visit the town of Zaros
just 20 km inland, where you can taste the local traditional Cretan
food, served at Vegera Taverna, or fresh water trout and salmon grown in local fish farms.
The local traditional village of Vori has been preserved as a protected village. In this relaxed, typical Cretan village, you can see the heart of the Messara.
Nearby is the village of Kamilari on some low hills overlooking the Libyan Sea. A stay in this village gives you a good position for exploring both the beaches and the ancient sites of southern Heraklion.
Exploring the caves at Matala BeachTranslation of the Phaistos Disc
According to Dr Marco Guido Corsini
Refer: http://digilander.libero.it/corsinistoria/centdiscofesto.htm
Please see below the translation into English kindly provided by Dr Corsini
The Phaistos Disk
Apotheosis of Rhadamanthus/Amenophis III - The Sun King
Side A: Most high Lady of the illustrious palace, Most high (A)usonia, Lady of the blessed and patroness of the palace of the capital city, Phaistos.
Megare, the daughter of Creon, puts there to You, the daughter of Creon, in the chapel of the palace of the illustrious, the daughter of Creon, Megare, puts there to You the disk.
Amenophis (III; an Egyptian Pharaoh), very good judge of public and civil law, has been granted to Europe (his mother, the mitanni Mutemuya) for nursing, and therefore joined to the strong Noda, to Delia-Noda, the celebrated Rhadamanthus.
Side B: To Delia, strength of young people, strong goat of the Grand Vizier Ehud-Min (Minos).
To the heavenly wet-nurse, to Delia wet-nurse, holy wet-nurse of Ehud-Min's youthful vigour, Ehud-Min which Delia-Noda has helped to give birth.
Having been sprinkled to the two great (i.e. Rhadamanthus and Minos) the big (Syrian) oak supported by the double horns, the priest of the Ida (cave) then kills for You a Min (Egyptian god) bull (Minotaur) and tunes up a hymn to the morning ship "The wife of Re", that is (to the ship) of the double horns Lady, Selene.
Lastly Benapros (a priest) paints (with red) the entry stone (to the Ida cave) with the marks of Your great power.
Looking Around the Site
Or book a local private guide to interpret the site for you, and bring the history alive.
Below are some beautiful images of the Phaistós Palace archaeological site as it looks today:
Accommodation
In the surrounding villages and beaches to the south, you will find perfect accommodation for visiting this archaeological site and other historic sites of southern Heraklion, we suggest a few below.
Within the village of Kamilari is Cretan House Antonis - a lovingly renovated village home with all modern comforts and style, allowing the history to express itself in the home. This one bedroom home welcomes 4 guests with 2 double beds and 2 sofa beds. Perfect for self-catering, with a full kitchen and terrace.
Close to everything in the village, and to the sea, and only 3 km from Phaistos.
"Magnificent traditional house with a large lemon yard in the middle,
renovated with care and attention to detail. Extra comfortable
mattresses, all clear in the house! The bathroom's big, even has a
laundry, which makes the house ideal for long holidays. Also huge,
separate kitchen, fully equipped."
Just outside the town of Moires is the KaliVie Bio Farm & Retreat - be surrounded by the lush Messara farming valley, literally in an orange grove, in this relaxing country home. Welcoming 4 adults and 3 children in comfort, this home is just 7 km from Phaistos.
"A unique feel-good oasis for nature lovers. Perfect to let your mind wander. No unnecessary frills but everything we needed. With a great environmental thought behind it, almost self-sufficient. The bed was very comfortable. We discovered oranges on the plantation of course, also orange peels, lemons, gojiberries, walnuts, cactus, mandarins, hibiscus, pears, bananas and grapes."
In the small village of Pitsidia on the way to Matala Beach is the small and friendly Pension Aretoussa, just 5 km from Phaistos and 4 km to Matala Beach. Enjoy a warm welcome with lots of local knowledge and private parking, close to the supermarket and tavernas.
"Breakfast was excellent, the hostess was very kind and ready to help. She told a lot of information about the surrounding area."
Video
Below is a video of the Phaistós Palace archaeological site as it stands today.
On the Map
See location of the major historical sites in Crete on the map below.
Getting Here
Fly for 1 hour from Athens to Heraklion International Airport HER.
Drive south on the national road for 62 km, via the towns of Heraklion, Agia Varvara, Agioi Deka and Moires.
After 60 km, turn east following signs for Phaistos Φαιστός or Festos, this small road leads to the site after 1.3 km.
There is plenty of parking, shade, a cafe and a museum shop at the entrance to the archaeological site.
Local buses leave Heraklion from Bus Station A regularly for Phaistos. Ensure you have an early start. Take the bus to Matala marked ΦΑΙΣΤΟΣ - ΜΑΤΑΛΑ. The journey takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Be sure to check the opening times of the archaeological site: Phaistos Government Information.
More details for flights, ferries, bus and hire car below.
When you book with our car rental partners - Rental Centre Crete - you are supporting a local company with excellent service and an easy online booking procedure. We are sure you will be well looked after by Harry and his team.
We trust you have enjoyed these tips from the We Love Crete team. Evíva!
Yiásas!
Anastasi, Apostoli & Katia
are the We Love Crete team
We just love sharing our passion for Crete, Greece and travel
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About the Team
Yiásas!
Anastasi, Apostoli & Katia
are the
We Love Crete team
We just love sharing our passion for Crete, Greece and travel
About us
