In 1900, the 48-year-old Englishman Arthur Evans began excavations on the island of Crete. Much more than a case of science, former correspondent of the newspaper “Manchester Guardian” was inspired by the heroes of Greek myths and lines from the “Odyssey”: “The island of Crete is in the middle of the wine-colored sea … one can hear different languages there: Pelasgians, in Knossos living … There really was a King Minos … ” and so much other. Homer had once helped archeology: Heinrich Schliemann, using the “Iliad” as a “guide”, has managed to dig up Troy and Mycenae.

Evans wanted to repeat his success in Crete. Of course, nobody could have imagined that a thick layer of sun-baked earth lie the ruins of the ancient civilization in Europe. Evans called it “Minoan” after the legendary Minos. After a sensational excavation on Crete myths made flesh and blood, as, perhaps, Evans would like. But a lot of them just did not seem a literary coincidence. For example, the fact that Zeus – the father of gods and men – was born in Crete, is now perceived as a completely natural event.

Zeus is known, was the son of the earth goddess Rhea, and the god of the Sky Cronus. In accordance to the prediction,Cronuswould have been killed by the hands of his own son, and thus, to protect himself from attacks of his immortal heirs, he swallowed them as birth and kept in his stomach. Rhea was inconsolable, and when the time came to finally give birth to her last son, she fled to Crete, where they gave birth to Zeus. Zeus was grown hidden in two caves – Dikte and Ida (both archaeologists found large Minoan sanctuary). Cronus was in the dark, until one day the grown up and matured Zeus appeared to him and did not fulfill the prediction. Defeated Cronus spewed all the swallowed brothers and sisters of Zeus, including Poseidon and Hera. Subsequently it to Crete, to the native caves, Zeus brought the Phoenician princess abducted to Europe, who bore him three sons here: Radamanta, Sarpedon and Minos – the wisest of all the kings of Crete.
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Once Poseidon, who was a god of the sea depths, sent Minos one handsome white bull for sacrificing it. Minos broke a promise to the patron, and as a result, angry Poseidon enchanted Minos wife Pasiphae, causing her to fall in love with the hapless bull. The fruit of fatal and evil passions, Minotaur half bull – falf man – has become a curse and shame of King Minos. Wanting to hide from human eyes Minotaur, Minos ordered Daedalus, the famous Athenian master, who lived in exile in Crete, build a palace with the difficult transition, known to us as the Labyrinth…

However, Evans was not the first who tried to find Knossos. 20 years earlier thatnhim, an amateur archaeologist Minos Kalokerinos laid several deep trenches in 5 kilometers from Candia (now called Heraklion). On the territory of the “Hill of the Lord” contours of the land enormous structure were found. Objects found in the ground Kalokerinos kept at the British consulate in Kandy, where he worked as a translator. Collection was so successful that it attracted the attention of archaeologists. Noticing the increased interest in the excavations, the Turkish hosts of the land, where Knossos was lately discovered, sharply raised the price of land. Consequently, all work had to be suspended indefinitely.

In 1886 Crete was visited by world-famous, already 63-years old Schliemann. Ambitious archeologist,who caused an irreparable damage during his unprofessional excavationto his discoveries: Troy and Mycenae, was back to make another astonishing discovery. Schliemann had enough money, and hence, he immediately signed a contract to purchase the territory of Knossos, including all what was in there. However, lately, counting olive trees growing almost all over the land belonging to him, he suddenly discovered that they were three times less than promised by the contract. Enraged by the fact that that he was beinglied, an inflated archaeologist terminated a deal with the Turks.

Evans came to Crete in 1894, being not only fascinated archeologist, but experienced historian and journalist, who had passed the Balkans brutal school of communication with the Turkish authorities. Like Schliemann, he met with a collection of Kalokerinosa (which 4 years later was burned together with the British consulate) and in the miniature seals, the sighted eyes of Evans distinguished icons of previously non-discovered letter.

Even though Evans suffered of a big impatience, he could not get to work during 6 years, until Crete became a Greek autonomy and social activist Joseph Natsidakis helped Evans Knossos.

Ambitions prevented Arthur Evans focus on scientific research. He could not wait to show the world his discovery – the labyrinth, which he once called “Palace of Minos”, which was under the hypnotic influence of the myths.

Excavations continued with the speed light for the archeology. Tens thousands of objects were found and saved on the shelves. Evan had neither time nor energy to deal with all these treasures.Over the next decade, most of the findings disappeared, the remaining was eaten by rats and insects, but in the years of excavation Evans thought little of the future: he was possessed by inspiration.To his credit should be noted that he didn’t export findings outside Greece: priceless masterpieces of ancient art stayed in the museums of Crete and Athens. Evans still spent enormous personal funds for the expansion and improvement of sites, trying to connect to the Knossos archaeological value of tourist attractions. He died in 1935, at the ripe age, completing the fundamental four-volume work “Palace of Minos” and presenting humanity unique culture that personally learned from historical oblivion.

Real image of the Palace-Maze fully justify the myth that has developed around it. It was a huge building with a total area of 22 thousand meters, which had at least 5-6 levels above ground floor, connected by walkways and staircases, and a number of underground crypts. Number of rooms in it was believed to be approximately thousand. To protect the shabby walls of the Palace from the damaging effects of the sun and the rain, Evans did not hesitate and strengthened them with cement. Moreover, those walls that appeared from the older period broke and others built instead, shaping the image of the Palace, in accordance with his own ideas. On the one hand, it certainly saved Knossos, on the other – no one now knows how the labyrinth actually looked alike…

Rest of the Labyrinth still attracts huge attention from lots of travelers and stays as one of the sightseeing destinations for adventurers.

Media Sources:

• http://www.flickr.com/photos/andra_mb/4534405144/in/photostream/
• http://ancient-time.blogspot.com/2010/12/ancient-city-of-lappa-at-crete-greece.html
• http://photoseek.photoshelter.com/

There are thousands of fascinating and comfortable tourist routes in different parts of the country. But! Experience the true flavor of Japanese history, the unique Japanese tradition, culture, art, religion, architecture, craft and better and best of all possible only in Kyoto.

Kyoto is the ancient capital of Japan (for over 1000 years). It simply is the city-museum under the open sky. It is amazing that 1,600 Buddhist temples and 600 shrines have survived in this land; 17 monuments of history and culture of Kyoto are on the list of World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. As long as Kyoto was the country’s capital and seat of the Japanese Emperor, court aristocracy, the city has long been and is even now the focus of talents: famous artists, poets, writers, and people of other professions. Furthermore, this city is considered to be the epitome of Japanese culture.

Japanese people are probably very proud of having something like Ryoanji Temple, which is the breathtaking site of Japan’s most famous rock garden, which attracts hundreds of visitors every day. “Rock Garden”, “Philosopher’s Garden”, “Garden of Ryoanji”, it has been called dozens of other names during different periods of time.

However, the fact that this garden is probably of the biggest value in the Japanese city of Kyoto, is proved by the circumstance, that there still goes talks about the interpretation of it’s essence.The garden’s date of construction is unknown and there are a number of speculations regarding its design.[ADS]The garden consists of a rectangular plot of pebbles surrounded by low earthen walls, with 15 rocks laid out in small groups on patches of moss. An interesting feature of the garden’s design is that from any vantage point at least one of the rocks is always hidden from the viewer.In December 1994, this temple was designated as World Heritage by UNESCO.

Kinkakuji Temple or Golden Pavilion is the main calling card of Kyoto.

Covered in gold leaf and bright shining in the blue sky on a sunny day, it seems to admire everyone, looking at their own reflection in the mirrored surface of the lake, which is itself located in the middle. In autumn its golden glitter becomes almost red – because of the maple groves surrounding the pavilion. Kinkaku-ji was formally called Shariden. The elegant, harmonious building consists of three types of architecture. The 1st floor is Shinden-zukuri, the palace style. It is named Ho-sui-in.[ADS2]The 2nd floor is Buke-zukuri, the style of the samurai house and is called Cho-on-do. The 3rd floor is Karayo style or Zen temple style. It is called Kukkyo-cho.It should be mentioned that there are other points of interest in the surrounding places. The name of such the pond is Kyoko-chi (Mirror pond).

The pond contains many large and small islands. Climbing a few steps, you stand at the edge of another small pond, An-min-taku. The small stone pagoda on the island is called Hakuja-no-tsuka (the mound in memory of the white snake).

Gion is a district of Kyoto, Japan, originally developed in the Middle Ages, in front of Yasaka Shrine. It has marrow streets with darkened wooden walls of old houses, pierced by a delicate aroma of Japanese living past. It is especially nice to hear the sound of wooden sandals, on the stone floor, and suddenly see a glimpse of a figure in the distance, like a light cloud outline – it is a Maiko, a living work of art, a little picking with his left hand a long sleeve jacket with low-hanging belt and hiding the face heavily powdered a bamboo umbrella, a seed somewhere on business … Thus, saying short and sharp that was a district, built to accommodate the needs of travelers and visitors to the shrine. It eventually evolved to become one of the most exclusive and well-known geisha districts in all of Japan.

Eygamura (village cinema) is not just a village. This place has often become a film set for famous movies. Nowadays it became a recreational park for tourists. Here, one can find not only the recreated buildings and streets, but very fascinating interior of the houses. Go through the streets of actors: samurai swords suit street battles, shuffling girls in kimonos and parasols, walking around with a warrior stern faces. It is wonderful how one can buy absolutely exclusive items on the flea markets in Kyoto: ceramics, historical prints, interior, authentic kimonos, wicker, antiques, art and more.

Kyoto is Japan’s best place to admire the cherry blossoms (March-April) and autumn leaves (November).Plus It has a very convenient transportation scheme, which allows travelers for a stay in Kyoto with easy access to the most beautiful places in Japan (Lake Biwa, Ama-no Hasidate about. Miyajima, IseJingu, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Mr. Nagoya, etc.).