The ancient city of Fest, located on the Messara Plain, was the center of the Minoan civilization on Crete and one of the most important policies of the island . The first human settlements appeared here already 6 thousand years ago, and two thousand years later the rich and the strong Fest controlled almost the entire center of the island . So it continued until the 15th century earthquake before . e . when the palace in Festa, the second after the palace in Knossos, was destroyed almost completely .After that, the city was no longer able to restore its former influence, and when the military power was gained by the neighboring Gortina, Festus was finally wiped from the face of the earth .

Festa Palace tourists visit much less often Knossos, but in vain. Perhaps it looks less attractive, since it was not reconstructed specifically, like the palace in Knossos. There are no colored columns, and in general the ruins were preserved exactly as they were excavated. Archaeologists began their work on the palace at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and discovered both the "new" and the "old" part of the palace - that is, the post-Minoan and Minoan.

Today the excavation site, where visitors are allowed, occupies more than 8000 sq. M . meters . These are ruins on several tiers and in several sectors with well-preserved rooms, storerooms and galleries, staircases, lodges, fragments of columns and ceramic vases . Royal suites deserve special attention: the entrance to the building itself is forbidden, but also outside you can see the remnants of the tile and even the painting on it . The view from the central plateau to the valley leaves a special impression: standing here, it's easy to understand how the location helped Fest to gain its power and influence .

The most famous archaeological find of Fest is Phaistos disk, a small piece in the form of a coin with a twisted into a spiral hieroglyphic inscriptions . The age of this sacral object is approximately 3700 years . The meaning and purpose of the inscription could not be determined until now, but it is reliably established that it is not cut out on the disk , and printed on it by the printing method . Now the disk is included in the exposition of the archaeological museum of Heraklion and is actively duplicated on souvenirs, which gives a more peaceful alternative to the double-edged Knossos ax, when choosing, for example, a ladies' pendant .

Festsky palace

Megaron Tsarya, Phaistos Palace

Ceramic Products, Festskiy Palace

Corridor, Festskiy Palace

Pantries, Festskiy Palace