In 2024, the Palace of Knossos on the island of Crete witnessed a surge in tourism, with the number of visitors exceeding one million and surpassing the previous record set in 2019, according to SKAI. The Palace of Knossos is the largest of the Minoan palaces in Greece.
The Palace of Knossos holds a place in both mythology and archaeology. It was at the core of the Minoan civilization that flourished on the island. The site's discovery and excavation date back to the beginning of the twentieth century. In 1900, Arthur Evans began excavations at the palace.
"It is very important that in recent years, very often, we have school visits not only from Greece but also from abroad, as part of educational excursions," said Vasiliki Sythiakaki, the head of the Heraklion Antiquities Ephorate, according to SKAI. "University students come, scientists, archaeologists from all over the world come, repeat visitors come. In short, at Knossos we have every kind of visitor, who often chooses to be in this area for a second or even third time."
Sythiakaki emphasized the allure of Knossos. "I think that Knossos is attractive because it is Knossos! It is clear that if someone finds themselves on the island and chooses to see one site, it will be the Palace of Knossos," she said in an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, according to LIFO.
As part of ongoing projects, the site is being modernized. Inside the western courtyard of the Palace of Knossos, new modern buildings will be constructed, including a ticket office, luggage storage area, spaces for guards, a small medical office, and sanitation facilities, SKAI reported.
Additionally, at a later stage, the shop and cafeteria at the Palace of Knossos will be relocated to the western outdoor area of the site. A new area equipped with multimedia applications will be created to provide visitors with information about the archaeological site before they enter.
Restoration efforts pay homage to the work of Sir Arthur Evans, whose controversial methods have shaped the visitor experience. "The restoration works by Sir Arthur Evans help visitors have a more vivid image of the palace, allowing them to see how it stood upright in the past, which fascinates visitors," reported SKAI. Sythiakaki acknowledged the criticism but highlighted the benefits. "Perhaps Evans was criticized for the restoration works that were done; however, visitors, because of these restorations and unlike other palaces, have the opportunity to see how the palace was when it stood upright. This is also an element that fascinates visitors," she said.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.