Knossos in Irαkleio, Crete, Greece — Ελλάδα (Southeastern Europe, Balkan Peninsula)
"Throne Room"
"Αίθουσα του Θρόνου"
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
1. "Throne Room" Marker
You are in the antechamber of a complex of rooms that Evans named the "Throne Room". Its name comes from the stone seat found in the room behind the antechamber (Figure 1).
Stone benches are preserved in the antechamber, and between them were discovered traces of a burnt wooden construction. Today, a wooden seat has been placed here which is a copy of the stone one in the neighboring chamber. After the antechamber is the central room of the complex. Right and left of the stone seat are yet more stone benches. Pieces of fresco depicting plants and griffins, mythical beasts with a lion's body and bird's head (Figure 2) were found in the same room. The restored fresco is in Herakleion Museum. Evans put a copy in its place. Stone vases for oil, often connected with rituals, were found on the floor. The stone basin you see was actually found in a neighboring corridor and placed here To the left, a low partition wall with a column creates a small area like a cistern since it has a sunken floor. Evans thought that areas with a similar form were used for purification ceremonies and therefore called them "Lustral
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The central room connects at the back with a series of small, dark rooms which were lit by lamps, as the finds illustrate.
The function of the complex is difficult to determine. Evans believed that the rooms were used for ceremonies with the main figure being the king of Knossos in his religious capacity. However, it seems unlikely to have been a "Throne Room" in the modern sense of the word.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places.
Location. 35° 17.88′ N, 25° 9.786′ E. Marker is in Knossos, Crete, in Irαkleio. It can be reached from Dedalou south of Glafkou, on the left when traveling south. This marker is located on the island of Crete, just south of the capital city of Heraklion, in the Palace of Knossos archaeological park, and you must be walking on the grounds of the archaeological park in oder to see this marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Knossos, Crete 714 09, Greece. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, the Schengen Area, a coastal Mediterranean country, and
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
2. "Throne Room" Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of an illustration, showing where the park visitor was in relation to the ruins of the archaeological park, while standing in front of the marker.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: West Wing (a few steps from this marker); Conservation - restoration of the "West Magazines" (within shouting distance of this marker); "Piano Nobile" (within shouting distance of this marker); West Magazines (within shouting distance of this marker); South Entrance, Corridor with the "Prince of the Lilies" Fresco (within shouting distance of this marker); Water and Drainage Conduits (within shouting distance of this marker); "North Lustral Basin" (within shouting distance of this marker); North Entrance, North Pillar Hall (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knossos.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
3. "Throne Room" Marker
View of the marker situated just outside the structure where the "Throne Room" was located. Note the long line of visitors, waiting their turn to go into the structure and see the "Throne Room."
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
4. "Throne Room" Complex
View of the structure where the "Throne Room" was located, with a significant number of visitors to the archaeological park, many waiting to see the "Throne Room."
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
5. "Throne Room" Antechamber
View of visitors, lined up in the antechamber, waiting their turn to view the central room of the complex, the "Throne Room."
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
6. "Throne Room" Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of an illustration, that is identified on the marker as being figure 1, showing the excavated (and not reconstructed) "Throne Room," probably of Evan's day.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
7. "Throne Room"
View of the reconstructed "Throne Room" of today.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
8. "Throne Room" Marker
Another view of the reconstructed "Throne Room" of today. Note that the reconstructed fresco, on the back wall, includes a griffin, with a lion's body and a bird's head.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
9. "Throne Room" Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of an illustration, that is identified on the marker as being figure 2, showing the image of a griffin that was found in the fresco of the "Throne Room."
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 21, 2015
10. "Throne Room" Marker
A close-up view of the griffin, with a lion's body and a bird's head, that is found in the reconstructed fresco, on the back wall, of the "Throne Room."
Credits. This page was last revised on March 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 536 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on July 14, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
