Up, Breakfast, on the bus for the short drive to the palace at Knossos. This is one of the largest and most significant archaeological sites in the world. The site is massive – covering over 8 acres. When it was originally excavated in the late 19th century archaeological standards were much different from today. So significant “restoration” work was done on-site. The result is that it is sometimes difficult to identify what is original and what is reconstruction. Still, the work that has been done helps to visualize some of what the original palace might have looked like.
The current excavation is not the original palace. Workers have identified a still older structure under the “current” one.Much of the unreconstructed remains does little more than identify the size and location of various rooms.The circular indentations originally held columns.While the columns (above and below in this photo) along with the tan colored walls and the windows are reconstructions there is general agreement of the arrangement.Location and assumed arrangement of frescoes we saw yesterdayMichaela was a wealth of information about the site.Throne room with restored frescoesRestored Fresco from throne roomSteps down to throne room. Note: the first step down shows significant wear from ages of use.Queen’s chamber with dolphin frescoesThey had an extensive underground drainage system.“Theatre” north of the main structureNorth entrance to the palace with the restored fresco of a bull and 3 restored columnsTourists in front of the north entranceWe saw several examples of crystallized rock among structural pieces. Apparently the palace burned, quite hot. Before it had a chance to cool it was exposed to torrential rains. This caused the hottest of the stone to crystallize as the rainwater cooled it.
After the palace we returned to the hotel for a free afternoon of exploration. We grabbed lunch and joined Ron and Cheri Abbot (the other geezerly couple along on the trip) for a walk to the Rocco a Mare fortress (6 mile round-trip)
The sky was dark and threatening but Zeus sent the rain somewhere else. Cheryl would point out the palm trees pertinently bent by the prevailing winds. Today the wind was coming from the other direction.You can’t swing a rubber chicken without running into an archaeological site.It being the off season, the colorful tour boats are all lined up ready for springtime.These structures are Venetian era boat houses.Ron and Cheri with the fortress in the backgroundRocco a Mare fortressCanon port showing the thickness of he wallOcean-side view of the fortress. Note the Venetian winged lion seal. Note also there are two (possibly) blue whales under the seal.
On the way back we decided to take a turn thru the old town (translate; get lost a bunch wandering thru a medieval street plan). We did (eventually) find our way out but we were also open to little bits of serendipity.
During a 10th century siege the Ottomans cut off the water supply to the main its fountain. Antonio Priouli discovered groundwater in a defensive ditch and constructed this fountain (named after him – Fontana Priouli).
Eventually (and with the guidance of a great old city wall that helped to guide us back) we arrived at our hotel. We settled in for an hour or so of reading before dinner and woke up quite a bit later than that. Not feeling the need or the energy to venture out we adjourned to the fifth floor bar/restaurant for drinks and lite salads, followed by dessert – one of the students was celebrating her 21st birthday and we joined them for a piece of cake.
Then it was off to our room for reading (really this time), posting, and sleep.
Tomorrow we venture across the island to another Minoan palace and a Roman-era town. The schedule says we’ll spend some time tomorrow afternoon on the beach. We’ll see how that goes. They keep predicting rain and the clouds keep threatening but so far we’ve been dry, if a bit cool and windy. I think I won’t take my speedo along.
Wish us luck,
R
3 Comments
You forgot the scare quotes around “a piece of cake”
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Yeahhhh………the thought of you in a speedo….really, leave that look for Uncle Bob….
You forgot the scare quotes around “a piece of cake”
No comment
Yeahhhh………the thought of you in a speedo….really, leave that look for Uncle Bob….