Archaeological site of Archanes

The archaeological site of Archanes is a Minoan palace in Ano Archanes containing remains of stone blocks, wooden columns, frescoes, and plaster structures. The main area called Tourkoyeitonia preserves these elements from the ancient settlement.

The palace site developed during the Minoan era and was explored through systematic excavations beginning in 1966. These investigations revealed connections through ancient roads linking the area to nearby locations such as Juktas and Vathypetro.

The site shows how Minoan people organized gatherings and daily activities in their settlement. The theater area with its stepped altars provides insight into where rituals and community meetings took place.

The site sits roughly 20 minutes from Heraklion and is accessible by car or public buses. Visitors should check opening hours before arrival and allow time to explore the various areas at their own pace.

The palace complex featured an advanced water management system with aqueducts carrying water from local springs to Kephala Hill. This engineering accomplishment demonstrates Minoan knowledge of water distribution across terrain.