... REGION: Crete ... Prefecture: Iraklio
Phaestos

Second in importance only to Knossos from the archaeological point of view is Phaestos. It lies 62.5 km southwest of Iraklion. It is build on a hill (at an altitude of 100m above sea level), south of the Lythaeon river, and commands the fertile plain of Kato Messara, which is surrounded by impressive mountains (Psiloritis,Asterousia). Phaestos owing to its importance, is mentioned in the texts of ancient writers (Diodorus, Strabo, Pausanias), but also by Homer. According to mythology, the dynasty which ruled Phaestos, was that of Rhadamantus, son of Zeus and brother of Minos.

History: Phaestos was a very strong, rich, populous and independent city.
It minted its own coins and, at the acme of its power and prosperity, its domination extended from the Lithino point to the Melissa point and included the islets of Paximadia (Letoae was their ancient name).
The state of Phaestos also disposed of two strong ports, Matala and Kommos to the southwest.
The area had been inhabited since Neolithic times ( 3000 BC approximately) as is evidenced by the foundations of Neolithic habitations, the tools, figurines and potsherds which were discovered under the storerooms of the palace, during the exsavations which were carried out there.
The first palace was built approximately 1900 BC and, together with the other structures around, covered an area of 18,000 sq.m (slightly less than that of the palace of Knossos). The great earthquake which occurred around 1700 BC was the cause of its destruction, as it was of that of Knossos. In its place a new, more impressive palace was built, to which belong the greater part of the ruins which have been restored, while several parts of the first palace have also been excavated, mainly those lying to the southwest.
After the discovery of the southern part of the palace, during the excavations by D. Levi, various converging clues which came to light, seemed to lead to the conclusion that the second palace destroyed by an earthquake when the southern part of the hill subsided and carried along with it the southern part of the palace and the central court. Despite the recurring destruction of the palace, Phaestos continued to flurish during the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods until, around 200 BC, it was destroyed by its rival, Gortys, with which it was in constant conflict. In spite of this, life continued in Phaestos during the Roman period as well.