Palace of Petras, Archaeological site near Sitia, Crete
Palace of Petras is an archaeological site near Sitia on Crete with the remains of a large palatial complex spread across two terraces on a hilltop. The ruins display features of Minoan architecture, including walls and structures distributed across multiple levels.
The site was inhabited from around the 26th century BCE until its destruction in the 15th century BCE, marking the end of occupation at this location. Archaeological excavations beginning in 1985 revealed these layers of settlement and Minoan cultural development.
The site served as an important administrative center of Minoan civilization, with archives and writing tablets revealing how early societies organized their affairs. Visitors can observe traces of a sophisticated culture that developed complex systems for trade and governance.
The site lies about a kilometer from Sitia and is not continuously open to visitors. It is advisable to arrange access in advance to ensure the location can be visited.
One building on the site was originally a reception room with a central column but was later repurposed as a workshop for wool processing and dyeing. This transformation shows how the function of spaces changed over time.
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