The project of remodeling the entrance to the archaeological site of Knossos is a priority for the Ministry of Culture. The preliminary studies – architectural, static, electromechanical – and the geotechnical study were prepared, in the context of a research program, for the connection of the archaeological site with the urban and peri-urban fabric of Heraklion. The goal of the Ministry of Defense is the permanent management of functional and aesthetic issues, allowing the overall upgrade of the archaeological site. The project, which develops in two phases and has a total budget of approximately 3,500,000 euros.
The Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, said: “Knossos is the second most visited archaeological site in Greece, after the Acropolis. The promotion of the Minoan Palace – and five other palace complexes of the same era – is a priority for the Ministry of Culture. The Minoan Palaces are our country’s candidacy, in 2025, for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. With the aim of including the Minoan Palaces in a cultural route that highlights and assimilates developmentally the dynamics of this unique heritage, we have planned a series of interventions to restore and highlight these unique architectural ensembles. In the Palace of Knossos, restoration operations are underway in important monuments of the archaeological site, as well as works to improve the tour and accessibility. The present study is part of an overall project of reorganization of the archaeological site, but also of the wider urban space, which aims to arrange the entrance-exit areas, solving functional and aesthetic problems related to the attitude, movement and service of visitors . Our goal is the overall reformation of the wider area and the enhancement of the experience of visiting the site, as befits the archaeological and historical value of the specific palace. I would like to thank the Regional Governor of Crete, Stavros Arnautakis, and the competent departments of the Region for the close and extremely constructive cooperation in the formation of the Integrated Spatial Investment of the Minoan Palaces and its inclusion in the actions, which are planned to be financed by the Regional Operational Program of Crete – NSRF 2021-2027.”
The purpose of this study is the redesign of the entrance area for the convenience of visitors, with sustainable, durable and energy-independent infrastructures, as well as with respect for history. Based on the preliminary study, the point where tickets are checked today and where the tour route starts and ends, is preserved, as is the flow of visitors inside the Palace.
However, it is being redesigned the whole areafrom the southern boundary of the large car park (north of ‘Royal Street’) to the employee car park to the south and from the access road (west) to the starting point of the tour route. Configuration is provided new wider square in the entrance area, with the separation of incoming and outgoing traffic, and the construction of three new ground-floor public service buildings, in two implementation phases. The sidewalk from the north car park to the entrance area, passing alongside the end of the underlying ‘Royal Street’, widens. The project is designed to be implemented in two phases and with a time horizon of the second phase, in 2030.
Source: www.enikos.gr
