Zominthos

Zominthos is a Minoan palatial complex situated at 1,200 meters elevation on the northern foothills of Mount Ida (Psiloritis), Crete, discovered in 1982 by archaeologist Yiannis Sakellarakis. The monumental Central Building covers approximately 1,360 square meters with around 80 rooms across two to three stories, built circa 1900 BC and reaching its peak around 1600 BC. Located on the ancient route between Knossos and the sacred Ideon Cave, Zominthos served as a pilgrim station, administrative complex, and trading hub for Cretan cypress and livestock. The palace was destroyed around 1400 BC, likely by an earthquake. It is now inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List as one of six major Minoan palatial sites.