The palace of the Minoans is unlike any you have known. Instead of the towering spirals and peaks you may conjure in your mind, Knossos Palace is a sprawling complex consisting of a central courtyard flanked with four wings. As the largest Bronze Age archaeological site in Crete, it is impossible not to get lost in time as you explore the ruins for a fascinating look at the history of little-known civilization of the Minoans.

The sophistry of the palace’s architecture reveals itself in the winding, labyrinth-like layout, and the elaborate water and sanitation system, showcasing the Minoans to be one of Europe’s first advanced civilizations. Here and there, you may notice that the palace is made of a distinctive reflective surface, which can be attributed to the liberal use of gypsum, also known as selenite, in the palace construction. Even if you are not a history buff or an archaeology geek, the rich history found at Knossos Palace will surely captivate you. While it might not be defined as a conventionally grand palace, definitely give Knossos Palace a go for a taste of ancient Greece shrouded in mystery.