Visiting Knossos with Kids is like embarking on a family adventure to ancient Crete. It is like stepping into a mythical labyrinth where history and legend intertwine. This storied palace, once the heart of Minoan civilization, offers a captivating journey for visitors of all ages.
With its grand staircases, vibrant frescoes, and tales of the Minotaur, Knossos is a place where children can ignite their imaginations and adults can marvel at the wonders of a bygone era. There are some fascinating facts about Knossos and you should not leave it out of your itinerary once you’re visiting Crete. Join us as we explore the nooks and crannies of this archaeological treasure and create unforgettable memories with your little explorers in tow.
Visiting Knossos with Kids
The Minoan civilization flourished between 2600 and 1100 BC and the palace of Knossos is an architectural gem among the most important in the entire world. Before you get there, I advise a small revision in history and mythology. It is crucial to have a little understanding about what you are going to see before visiting Knossos with the kids.
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When history embraces mythology in such a vivid way, you can’t help but wonder where mythology ends and history begins.
Minos the legendary King was the son of Zeus and Europa and he is associated with the famous Minotaur, the Labyrinth, Theseus, Daedalus and Icarus which I strongly recommend you revise before you visit with your children as it stimulates their fantasy and makes them look forward to the visit the mythical palace.
The whole site was first discovered in 1878 by a local merchant called Minos Kalokerinoswho brought the first findings to light, but the actual excavations began in 1900 by Sir Arthur Evans and lasted 30 years.
I can’t help but wonder what it would have felt like to bring such treasures to light. Frescos with colors that time hadn’t touched and leave you breathless.
Jewelry that reflects the style and the techniques of talented technicians. A drainage system like no other in any other ancient city. Storage rooms and warehouses that reflect prosperity and finally the throne room which stands there untouched!
Minos was recognized for his sense of justice, and an exact replica of his throne sits at the International Court in The Hague as a reminder of Justice vs war. The Minoans were also very peaceful and basically practiced trade and collaboration with all nearby countries, exchanging products.
The religion of the Minoans according to the findings was highly related to Nature and a complex of deities, the most famous of which is the goddess of the snakes! Bulls were also considered sacred. Bull-leaping, especially on religious occasions, was an impressive practice that was performed by brave athletes and never led to harming the bull.
The horns of the bull is a strong symbol of Knossos which will see in many places as well as the double axe “Labrys”, either a mystic symbol or a tool with astronomical use.
Like all great empires or the physics laws what has a rise has also a fall. Knossos was palace was not destroyed one but actually two times due to natural disasters such as earthquakes and the eruption of the volcano of Santorini in 1450. This time the palace was flattened forever and although Knossos continued to exist, the palace was never reconstructed.
The precious findings of the excavations, as well as the original frescos, are displayed along with other findings such as jewellery, coins, artefacts etc, in the archaeological museum of Heraklion which is located in the center of the City.
A combination of both as they are located very close is ideal to fill your day with the glory of the past and get inspired enough to get motivated according to your own desires. I hope I have also inspired you and motivated you to consider visiting this immortal treasure.
There are many ways to visit Knossos with kids.
- You can go on your own or book an organized guided tour with a kid-friendly guide. If you want to skip the lines and enjoy a walking tour around the site look at this skip-the-line offer.
- Older kids may enjoy a self-guided visit by smartphone audio guide. The Minos’ Children: Daily Life in Knossos Tour is a self-guided audio walking around in Knossos.
- We have listed the best organized guided tours here: They are listed in: Knossos Crete with Kids Tips.
For more information about private guided tours, have a look here.
I hope you will enjoy your visit to the Palace of Knossos as much as we did. Let us know your experience by leaving a comment in the box below or emailing us. We would love to hear from you!
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2 Comments
Knossos Palace is a unique and interesting place that is worth seeing if you find yourself on the island of Crete. This is where legends such as the stories around the Minotaur and its Labyrinth come to life because this is where they were set. If you love history and are interested in the way Greece was in ancient times, you should make it a point to come her.e