Knossos: A New Guide to the Palace of Knossos

by George Tzorakis, Christos Stephanakis (photography), William Phelps (Translator)

Knossos, five kilometers southeast of Heraklion on the Greek island of Crete, once was the capital city of the Minoan world, which was one of the earliest European civilisations. In this book, the Greek archeologist George Tzorakis provides up-to-date information on the recent research work and excavations carried out at Knossos. The Minoans had more palaces throughout Crete, but the palace of Knossos was the largest and most splendid in the Minoan world. It was nearly square in plan and had over 1,500 rooms arranged on three or four floors.
The guide is richly illustrated with photographs and reconstruction drawings.

Genres: History, Mythology

120 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last of my 2014 guidebooks from Greece and covers the Minoan site of Knossos- a justly famous site, even if archaeologist friends like to refer to it as the 'theme park'. It is a heavily restored site and some of the restoration are showing signs of their age. It is still an important site.

Tzorakis structures this guide on an itinerary starting from the West Palace and working Eastward. It contains a good historical and mythological background as well as an account of the rather colourful history of its excavation. These are readable sketches of these topics. Much of the guide is devoted, rightly, to the tour of the site. The language here gets a little technical at times, but it is still a useful discussion with well chosen photographs, drawn recreations and maps. It gives an excellent impression of the site and its history.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am just a guide buying tourist. Such a guide as this is sufficient for a guy like me after having visited the extended palace remains. For a real review see this one by Philip: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... . JM

[Jonathan Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought for €10 in the gift shop at the Palace of Knossos and started reading just before I left Crete and finished within a week of returning, so the site, and musuem, was still fresh in my mind.

However, such is the detail in this guide book that the reader can synthesise a clear picture of the site, both the archaelogical findings and Arthur Evans' restoration works.

The analysis is so methodical and written with such clarity that the reader really develops an understanding of the Palace site. The book is packed with colour images, both of the initial dig and contemporary images (2016), diagrams and maps and this brings the Palace to life visually.

However, the writing is very academic and dry, with no mention of people or stories. That's not anyone's fault, because there isn't any knowledge to impart other than informed speculation about the purposes and functions of the Palace, the religious ceremonies conducted there, and who lived in the Palace and surrounding sites.

If you want myths about the Minotaur or speculations of King Minos or theories on invading Myceneans usurping the Minoans, you wont find any of that here. This is a guide for those who are fascinated by archaeology and may prove a little boring for others.

My advice would be to read after you visit and not before, and to avoid entirely if you haven't been and have no intentions of visiting.

[Pete daPixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this guide after spending a few amazing hours walking around the palace of Knossos. The very first book that I selected from my school library was 'Theseus and the Minotaur' back in the 1950's.
If this Bronze Age marvel had not been lost in time then surely it would have been listed as one of the wonders of the world. Four thousand years ago this Minoan treasure had running water and a fully hygienic toilet system, even if the Minotaur of King Minos was just mythical.
George Tzorakis' guide takes the reader on a fully informative tour of the complex accompanied by the stunning photographs of Christos Stephanakis.
The guide also includes a mythical and historical background to the site that adds to the fascination and wonder.
I strongly recommend visitors to include a visit to Heraklion's Archaelogical Museum to view the stunning collection of artefacts recovered from Knossos and other Cretan sites.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice photos.

[Kyara Vansteenkiste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought it at the giftshop at Knossos and read it after my visit. Very interesting as a beginners book, especially if you read it while walking around in the ruins

[Charlie Rand · Rating 4 out of 5]

This covered everything perfectly, a great guide book for reading after looking around for yourself.