Phaestos

  • Phaistos steps and terraces
  • Phaistos Archeological site
  • Minoan Jars
  • The nature in Faistos
  • The extensive site
Distance 60 km to the south of Heraklion
Open to the public: 08:00 - 15:00 daily (winter timetable)
Entrance fee: Adults 8 €, over 65 4 €. Below 18 years of age and students free of charge.
Toilet Facilities: Available
Café: Available
Wi-Fi: Available
Parking space: Available for all types of vehicles
Facilities for people with disabilities: Available but not in the site.
Supervised by: Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports
Access & walking difficulty: Difficulty rating 3

Distance from the capital city of the prefecture is 60 km to the south of Heraklion. The initial research was conducted by the Italians F. Halbherr and A. Taramelli in 1884. After 1898 excavations were organized by Halbherr and Pernier (1900-1914) and later by Doro Levi (1950-1971) under the supervision of the Italian Archaeological School in Athens.

The surface of the site adds up to 9 hectares. The region was inhabited from the 6th millennia BC to the early Byzantine years. Typical as it may seem, the earliest Minoan palace with the West court in three levels, Central court, sanctuaries, storage rooms, workshops, and other rooms arranged in at least two floors. The first complex, of a total surface of 18000 m2, approximately 2 hectares, was built on the top of a low hill in the beginning of the second millennia BC and was destroyed by fire in 1700 BC. In the middle of the 16th century BC, possibly between 1570-1560 BC a new imposing palace was erected, of a total surface of 12000 m2 which lived on till the final destruction in 1450 BC. In the archaic years an urban settlement was built (Rhea temple and public buildings) until the destruction by the neighboring Gortyna in 150 BC. In the early Byzantine years simple tombs were dug in the upper West Court.

Amongst the most significant finds, the yet to be deciphered clay disc in the transitional phase from Cretan Hieroglyphic to Linear A (known as Phaestos Disc) and plenty of Kamaraic style pottery of an exceptional quality.

Your Cretan Odyssey

Map

Other Travel Guides

{tguide_phototitle_en}

Margarites Village

Located on the northeast of the city of Rethymnon in a distance of 27 km. Famous for its pottery του makers and with wonderful byzantine churches inside the village.

More
{tguide_phototitle_en}

Malia

The archeological site of Malia is located at a distance of 36 km east of Heraklion and 2 km on the east of the city of Malia. Its most important finds are showcased in the Archeological Museum of Heraklion

More
{tguide_phototitle_en}

Heraklion Archeological Museum

Αrtifacts from Neolithic and Minoan excavations of Crete are displayed in 14 galleries, as well as the collection of Hellenistic and Roman sculptures in two galleries. On the first floor, are the marvelous Minoan Frescoes displayed in a big gallery, and the exhibits of the Historical Period, displayed in 8 galleries.

More
{tguide_phototitle_en}

St. Matthew, Heraklion

Approximately 500m south of the Cathedral of St. Minas, within the historical district of Heraklion we have the church of St. Matthew.

More
{tguide_phototitle_en}

Fountains of Heraklion

The city of Heraklion, since it was founded always faced water shortages, due to the lack of water resources in a relative proximity.

More
Experiences
We know best
Follow us
Follow us on social networking pages and learn our news first
Contact us

Andreadaki 13-15 Heraklion, Crete
712 01, Greece
Tel.: +30 2810-342222
Fax: +30 2810-342212
e-mail: touristguidesofcrete@gmail.com
ΜΗ.Τ.Ε. 1039 Ε 6000 00870 00
Office hours: Mon - Fri: 9.00 - 15.00

Newsletter
Sign up to receive great deals first and our company news

CreditCards