Knossos Palace. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK Global recognition for Crete's leading site. The 47th UNESCO Conference, currently convening in Paris, France, has decided that the Minoan Palaces in Crete will be officially included in the World Heritage Sites list.
According to the Greek Ministry of Culture, this is "a development of great importance, recognizing the cultural value, uniqueness, and timeless historical significance of the archaeological site." The Ministry of Tourism welcomed the decision, describing it as "the fruit of many years of collective and ongoing effort."
As we reported earlier, the Minoan Palaces were submitted to the UNESCO Committee last year, but only this year was it decided that they would receive this honorable recognition.
The recognition applies to all Minoan palaces located in Crete, with the most famous being Knossos, the leading tourist site on the island. Other palaces gaining recognition include Phaistos, Kydonia, Malia, Zakros, and Zominthos. In addition to the popular site in Crete, this year also saw recognition for sites in Australia, China, India, Iran, and others. In the past, prestigious titles were also awarded to sites in Israel, including Masada, Old Acre, the Bahá'í Gardens in Haifa, the White City of Tel Aviv, and more.
Photo: SHUTTERSTOCKGreek Minister of Culture Olga Kefalogianni expressed with excitement that it is "a moment of justice for our culture and national pride, Knossos is part of our country's tourist identity."
Knossos was the most important city in Minoan Crete, continuously inhabited from the Neolithic period until the 5th century BC. From the 17th to the 15th century BC, the site served as a prominent political, economic, and artistic center.
The Knossos Palace, the leading tourist site in Crete, broke the record last year with more than a million visitors. It was recently announced that the Knossos Palace will undergo upgrades and renovations to provide easier access to the site.