Page 263 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

Must See
THE ROYAL
APARTMENTS

On the east side of the
Central Court lie rooms of
such size and elegance that
they have been identified as
the Royal Apartments. The
apartments are built into the
side of the hill and accessed
by the Grand Staircase, one of
the most impressive surviving
architectural features of the
palace. A drainage system
was provided for the toilet
beside the Queen’s Megaron,
or hall, which enjoyed the The extravagantly
luxury of an en suite bath­ decorated and expansive
room with clay bathtub. Royal Apartments
Corridors and rooms alike in
this area were decorated with
frescoes of floral and animal Double Axes, takes its name
motifs. The walls of the Hall of from the Minoan double­axe
the Royal Guard, a heavily symbols incised into its stone
guarded landing leading to walls. Remains of what may
the Royal Apartments, were have been a plaster throne
decorated with a shield motif. were found here, suggesting
The King’s Megaron, also that the room was also used
known as the Hall of the for some state functions.

NORTH AND WEST OF welcoming ceremonies, may
THE CENTRAL COURT have occurred here. The Royal
Road leading away from the
palace to the Minoan town
The north entrance of the jars seems to indicate that of Knosós was lined with
Central Court was adorned those coming to the palace houses. Just off the Royal
with remarkable figurative were purified and annointed Road lies the so­ called Little
decoration, including the here before entering. Further Palace. This building has been
Charging Bull fresco, of which west is the Theatre, a stepped excavated, but is not open to
a replica is displayed on site. court whose position at the the public. It is architecturally
The north entrance leads to end of the Royal Road sug­ very similar to the main pal­
the North Pillar Hall, dating gests that the reception ace and was destroyed at the
from the second palace of visitors, and any ritual same time.
period. This building was
named as the Customs House
by Sir Arthur Evans, who
believed merchandise was
inspected here. Immediately
to the west is a room with
restored steps leading into
a pool, known as the North
Lustral Basin. Traces of burn­
ing and the discovery of oil

The colourfully rebuilt
north entrance to
the Central Court

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