Kydonia: The Minoan palace of Chania

According to the large number of Linear A tablets, the infrastructure of the city became more centralized during this time.

The palatial complex, built on Castelli Hill, has not yet been fully excavated, since a large part of it still lies beneath the modern urban fabric. A large hypostyle hall that has emerged however, probably served administrative or ceremonial purposes since Kydonia was an important Minoan center.

The “Seal of the Master” is one of the most significant finds from the above-mentioned excavations. It portrays a building complex – perhaps a palace or a sanctuary – on a seaside hill, with the figure of a young man holding a spear or scepter looming over it. This depiction is considered unique in Minoan art. 

The palace of Kydonia has been recently included in the UNESCO World Heritage List thanks to its outstanding importance for the study and understanding of Minoan civilization.