Ayía Triáda

Two km/1.25mi west of Phaistós, on the north edge of the hill ridge, can be seen the remains of the Minoan summer palace of Ayía Triáda, linked with Phaistós by a paved road. The site is named after the Byzantine chapel of Ayía Triáda on a neighboring hill; its ancient name is not known.

Like Phaistós, the palace dates mainly from the 16th century B.C., but was rebuilt after the earthquake of ca. 1450 and was still occupied in the Dorian period. The frescoes and pottery found here are now mostly in the Archeological Museum in Iráklion. From the west side of the palace there are fine views of the sea, 3km/2mi away, and the south coast of Crete.

Above the palace is the Venetian chapel of St George (14th C.; frescoes and inscriptions). Lower down, to the northeast, remains of a Late Minoan settlement (14th-11th century B.C.) have been excavated.

At the foot of the hill is a cemetery, with a large tholos tomb.