Upgrade… to the tour of the Archaeological site of Knossos – Photos

The Ministry of Culture and Sports is moving forward with new routes for visitors that improve the tour experience, as well as accessibility for people with disabilities and the disabled, in the Palace and the archaeological site of Knossos. At the same time, the program of protection, restoration and promotion of the archaeological site is progressing, while the Central Archaeological Council gave a positive opinion on the preliminary static adequacy study of the “Queen’s Palace” complex.

As stated by the Minister of Culture and Sports, Lina Mendoni, “The universal accessibility of archaeological sites, especially those with a lot of visitors, is at the top of our policies. With the new routes, all visitors to Knossos gain visual contact with the northern part of the archaeological site, which includes the so-called “Theatre” and the Royal Road. Our goal is, above all, to facilitate the movement of visitors with disabilities and in areas of the Palace where, due to wear and tear of the paving material, movement with a wheelchair becomes difficult. Secondly to limit unspecified movement in the area to protect the ancient floors. The study also responds to the necessity of the general effort to facilitate the participation of the disabled in the cultural process, contributing to the improvement of the educational character of the monument. The promotion of the Minoan palace of Knossos, and all of the Minoan palace complexes, is a priority for the Ministry of Culture and Sports. On the basis of a holistic framework for highlighting the Minoan palaces, we promote their serial registration in the UNESCO List of Monuments, and their inclusion in a cultural route that will highlight and assimilate, developmentally, the dynamics of this unique cultural heritage”.

The approved architectural study concerns the formation of new paths from the West Court to the “Theatre”, in the Central Court, as well as to the “King’s and Queen’s Palaces” for the tour of all visitors. The new path in the Central Courtyard allows the disabled to browse as well as their access to the surrounding areas, with the restriction of the movement of other visitors, without, however, excluding their free browsing. Access to the ‘King and Queen’s Palace’ area is via a staircase south of the ‘Queen’s Palace’. The aim of creating a new tour of the “Megaros Vasileos” is to make this area partially accessible, and at the same time, to protect the ancient floors. Interventions are also foreseen at the level of floor reconstruction, which include the floor of the reception area and entrance to the archaeological site, as well as the corridors of the central Court, south of the western Court, east of the “Theatre” and the exit from the Palace.

The Central Archaeological Council also approved the preliminary static adequacy study of the “Queen’s Palace” complex, with a total surface area of ​​330 sq.m., which shows intense wear and damage over a large area. The complex consists of the main “Hall of the Dolphins”, with the Queen’s bath, two atriums, tangential staircases communicating with the Royal Palace, and a corridor leading to the western hall.

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