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The palace of Phaistos, after Knossos the biggest Minoan palace on Crete, was situated on the west side of the Messara or Mesara Plain in the south of the island in the Heraklion district. The area is very fertile and green, and the views over the plain are very impressive. The palace of Phaistos can be reached via three exits from the road that runs between the small towns of Mires and Timbaki.
Next to the excavation of the Phaistos palace, on the south side, is the Agios Georgios Phalandras church (16th century), which originates from the Venetian era and was part of a monastery located in this place.
Unlike Knossos this old palace is still in its original state. It is also a lot quieter than in Knossos, but also here there are excursion buses that arrive around an hour or 11. It is therefore wise to visit the excavation early if you want to look around while it is not that busy.
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