Greek Culture Ministry Includes Minoan Crete Palatial Centers in UNESCO File

Knossos, Crete. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

The Greek Culture Ministry announced recently that it had included the palatial centers of Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, Zakros, Zominthos and Kydonia located on the island of Crete in its application file for inclusion in UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

The file was compiled jointly by the Directorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, the Crete Ephorates of Antiquities and the Region of Crete.

Faistos, Crete. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

The move comes as part of ministry actions to promote the island and its Minoan Civilization as portrayed through these ancient landmarks and sites.

The aim, said Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, is to “incorporate the Minoan-era palatial centers in a cultural route that highlights and assimilates the dynamics of this unique and particularly rich cultural heritage“.

Knossos, Crete. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

According to the ministry, the preliminary plan for the management of the Minoan Palaces, approved by the Central Archaeological Council, focuses on three main axes: actions for research and study, recording and proposing measures for protection and restoration, upgrading and developing infrastructure and services for visitors with the aim to improving the overall experience of the archaeological sites.