The palace of Phaestus in south central Crete was second only to Knassos in size and importance, but outshone it in terms of location. Phaestus stands spectacularly on a plateau overlooking the wide and fertile Messara Plain. To the north you can see the slopes that rise to their peak in Mount Psiloreitis, more popularly known as Mount Ida. It’s an incomparable setting.

The layout of the site is similar to that of Knossos, but little attempt has been made t reconstruction. At Phaestus the remains have merely been uncovered and cleaned up, with small amounts of reconstruction here and there, for example where walls where known to have collapsed.

To the north of the courtyard is the entrance to the royal apartments, and you can still see the remains of the sentry boxes where the guards stood watch on either side.