21.01.2025
The Palace of Knossos, located near Heraklion, is a treasure trove of history and mythology. As the center of the Minoan civilization, this architectural marvel offers insight into one of Europe’s earliest advanced cultures, blending archaeological significance with tales of gods and legendary creatures.
Knossos in Greek Mythology
Knossos is deeply intertwined with Greek mythology, making it not just a historical site but also a stage for some of the most famous myths of ancient Greece.
The Labyrinth and the Minotaur
According to legend, King Minos, the ruler of Crete, commissioned the craftsman Daedalus to construct an elaborate Labyrinth beneath the palace. The Labyrinth was designed to imprison the Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull creature born from the union of Queen Pasiphaë and a divine bull. The creature was eventually slain by the Athenian hero Theseus, who navigated the maze with the help of Ariadne, Minos’s daughter, and her thread.
Daedalus and Icarus
Daedalus, the architect of the Labyrinth, later attempted to escape Crete with his son, Icarus, using wings made of feathers and wax. The myth warns against hubris, as Icarus flew too close to the sun, causing the wax to melt and leading to his tragic fall.
King Minos’s Divine Connection
King Minos himself was said to have been chosen as ruler by the god Zeus, who appeared in the form of a bull and abducted Europa, Minos’s mother. This divine lineage emphasized Crete’s mythical importance in Greek culture.