KNOSSOS PALACE
The arcaeological site of Knossos is located just 5 km. southeast of Heraklion. The first excavation was conducted in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos. It begun systematically though by Arthur Evans in 1900.The site expands for about 22.000 sq. m. and the human inhabitation of it stretches from 6.800 – 1300 BC.
It is the biggest in size Minoan Palace of Crete, and lots of its architectural features were copied in the rest of the Minoan Palaces. The building is built around a big rectangular central yard, and is extended towards every direction, multi floored and quite complicated at places. Within its premises, different in use rooms and buildings were discovered such as: a great number of storage rooms and hundreds of ‘pithoi’, jars in them, potters workshops, stone carvers workshops, metal makers areas, shrines and temples, ‘lustral basin’, or purification rooms, throne room with a gypsum throne, staircases and living quarters.
The palace was built twice and was destroyed twice, while there is a third phase as well, when it was partly rebuilt after the final catastrophe. It is very possible that during its first phase it was not a complete building, but a collection of ‘insule’, a number of different non united blocks.
MUSEUM OF HERAKLION
It includes exhibits from c.7000 B.C. to 400 A.D. Into the ground floor level, are artifacts from Neolithic and Minoan excavations of Crete, 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.
HERAKLION, the capital and largest city of Crete, abounds with buildings, monuments, and churches that bear witness to its centuries-old history. During our city walk we see the venetian Loggia, the church of St.Mark, the fountain of the four lions and the church of St.Titus. Free time in Heraklion for shopping and back to the hotel.
In each tour at Knossos, we offer our customers the innovative service “Mobile 3D Reconstruction of Knossos”. Every visitor of the site brings with him our own iPad mini and during the tour by using our App based on virtual and augmented reality, the monuments Reconstructed. Our iPads mini is protected by a special case, has a belt to hang it around the neck and a paper hood that protects the screen from reflection and glare. The user may point towards different monuments the iPad mini and visualize not only the targeted monument but everything in 360 degrees. In this way the tablet is converted into virtual reality goggles, having the possibility of almost infinite zoom. Moreover, the user can virtually enter inside the buildings. This modern service brings archaeological sites in life and gives a strong motivation to visitors of all ages to walk through all the today ruins.
Price in Euro: Price upon request
When: Every day
Languages: English, German, French, Italian
Duration: 4-5 hours – SPECIAL OFFER – Private Tour till 6 people English, Deutsch, Italiano, Français
Meeting Point: Your hotel in the center of Heraklion, or hotels in Ammoudara. Other hotels upon request. Departure from the hotel at 09.00 a.m. Pls mention the name of your hotel in the reservation form.
Dress Code: No
Including: Transfer from your hotel in Heraklion area or Ammoudara to the excursion point and back. The services of a professional qualified tourist – guide, mini bus 6 seats, plus driver and Guide, all legal taxes and VAT.
Food: No
Walking Difficulty: Mild.
Rest Rooms/ WC: Yes
Important note: The latest you have to reserve your tour is 48 hours prior to it
Not included: Entrance fees, 16€ pp, for Knossos and Museum, reduced ticket for people over 65 years old 8€ pp.
Free entrance for: University students with card, young people till 18 years old.
