Knossos is an ancient city near the city of Heraklion. The main city of the island during the Minoan civilization. According to legend, in its vicinity was the labyrinth of Daedalus, where the Minotaur was imprisoned.

The palace of Knossos in Crete was called the "Labyrinth" because in the sanctuaries located in the palace, an image of a ritual double ax - "labrys" is often found.

The first palace of Knossos was built c. 2000-1700 BC e., the “early palace period”, on the remains of a Neolithic settlement that was located here earlier. This palace was destroyed by an earthquake c. 1700 BC e. However, the necessary restoration work was soon carried out and another palace was built in its place, which has come down to our time, the “new palace period”. Almost all the ruins that have survived to this day belong to the period before 1450 BC. e., the so-called new palace period.