Mon 23.Nov.2009
Haniá, Crete, Greece
The Ancient Minoan Palace at Knossos
![Bottom of the Top Level complex group of ruined wall-bottoms](pix/2009/img_7012.jpg)
![Another "Restored" Porch columned roofed porch atop ancient high foundation](pix/2009/img_7064.jpg)
![Through a Drain Darkly close-up of drainhole in wall, another wall visible through the hole](pix/2009/img_7070.jpg)
![Lichen close-up of multi-colored lichen on ancient slab](pix/2009/img_7074.jpg)
Looking up into a storm drain in the parapet wall of a terrace.
Yikes, there is nothing to show the
scale of this picture. It is not a
path across the ground, but a close-up of lichen on an ancient stone slab.
The center
of the picture spans about a foot from side to side.
![default title defalt alt text](pix/2009/img_7075.jpg)
![Three Columns yet more fresh painted columns](pix/2009/img_7076.jpg)
A frustrating number of areas are closed to visitors for reasons
explained or not.
At least that reduces the number of places you need to cover - or worry
about missing - in your limited visiting time.
![Pine and Porch porch with "restored" columns, pine branch overhead](pix/2009/img_7080.jpg)
![Digs looking down under an excavation shelter](pix/2009/img_7081.jpg)
It looks like the Knossos palace is still undergoing excavation. At
least there are areas with temporary roofing over them, such as might
shelter excavators and artifacts alike.
![Pine Cones pine branch with cones](pix/2009/img_7083.jpg)
![From Below stone stairs leading to restored porch](pix/2009/img_7087.jpg)
The site is surrounded by some sort of low-altitude pines, as well as
juniper and Italian cypress.
And yes, much else that I cannot remember, let alone enumerate.
![From Further Below same steps, porch no longer visible](pix/2009/img_7088.jpg)
![Weathered Rock free-standing weathered limestone rock](pix/2009/img_7092.jpg)
![default title defalt alt text](pix/2009/img_7099.jpg)
From the very bottom of the palace complex, the top levels are not even
visible.
![Light At The End looking from enclosed walkway toward site entrance/exit](pix/2009/img_7115.jpg)
![Modern World Ahead open-siided walkway to modern street and shops](pix/2009/img_7118.jpg)
Sunnuvagun! The time tunnel is leading us back to today. Or last Saturday
anyway.
And the entry/exit walkway covered in greenery.
Welcome to modern Knossos - end of the line on the city bus from Iraklio.
Contents Copyright 2012 Jeff Bulf