Backblip
The first day of our tour of attractions of Crete was to Heraklion and the ancient Palace at Knossos which is the largest and most important archaeological site in Greece, dating back to the 7th millennium BC.  It served as the ceremonial, political, religious, and economic centre of the Minoan civilization and was inhabited for several thousand years until abandoned after its destruction in 1375 BC, probably by the huge volcanic eruption of Santorini and the invasion of the Mycenaeans, marking the end of the Minoan civilization.  There are extensive ruins with an estimated 1300 rooms, some having impressive murals as here in the Queen’s throne room and other places. There is also the oldest known paved road in Europe which stretched for about 50 kilometres (31 miles) leading to the amphitheatre and main palace buildings.
According to Greek mythology a labyrinth was built by Daedalus for King Minos of Crete to keep the fierce Minotaur (half man and half bull) and the youths who were sent for it to feed upon and they could never find their way out.  Daedalus also designed wings for himself and his son Icarus but Icarus ignored his father and flew too close to the sun causing the wax to melt and he fell into the sea.  It is a place of many myths and legends.