45 Ancient Ruins That Are Even More Stunning Than the Pyramids
41. Knossos (Crete, Greece): The Labyrinthine Minoan Palace
On the island of Crete, Knossos was the heart of the Minoan civilization, Europe's earliest sophisticated culture, flourishing from around 2000 to 1400 BCE. This vast, multi-storied palace complex, famously associated with the myth of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth, reveals an astonishing level of architectural and artistic sophistication. Although extensively (and controversially) reconstructed, exploring its vibrant frescoes, grand staircases, and royal apartments offers a vivid window into a powerful maritime empire that profoundly influenced early Greek civilization.
