Works involving the conservation and stabilisation of the Minoan Palace at Malia are planned by the ministry of Culture and Sports. Malia is on the list of archaeological sites at high risk from climate change because of flooding caused by heavy rains over the past five years. The Culture ministry is planning to carry out flood protection works at a cost of €3,600,000 with money from the Recovery Fund.

According to the Culture minister Lina Medoni: “A political priority for the ministry of Culture is the preventive care, systematic monitoring and reinforcement of our country’s cultural resources against the climate crisis, including the protection, restoration and promotion of archaeological sites, and the upgrading of the service infrastructure for visitors. The parts of the archaeological site [at Malia] open to the public include the Minoan Palace and the excavated parts of the ancient city which surround it.

“Extreme weather phenomena began to be observed from 2019, when the heavy flooding which afflicted the island led to landslides and destruction on the archaeological site. The carrying out of stabilisation and conservation works was judged necessary for the monuments’ protection, while flood protection work is also under way, with the construction of an extensive drainage network and the replacement of the destroyed protective roofing units with new ones of high durability.

“The construction of the palace of Malia has been dated to the beginning of the Protopalatial period. The discovery of archaeological materials dating from 1900 to 1700 BC supports the hypothesis that the palace of Malia was a precursor to those at Knossos and Phaestos. The Minoan Palace of Malia is included among the Minoan palatial centres which we have proposed for serial registration in the World Heritage List of UNESCO.”

The conservation plan
The plan for conservation and stabilisation which has now been completed covers the architectural remains at the archaeological site of Malia, a location with extensive political, economic and cultural activity and widespread commercial transactions.. The plan specifies the materials used in the construction of the monument, describes the state of preservation and relevant details and makes suggestions for conservation.

The palace at Malia is not roofed, but exposed to the elements, unlike the eastern Warehouses, the Crypt and the Mu Quarter, where there is plasterwork and constructions made of earthen materials, which are covered with protective roofs. Among the problems discovered are erosion and fragmentation of masonry, collapse and deformation, and biological colonisation.

During the heavy rains of November 2020, the wider area of Malia and the archaeological site were flooded – including the central courtyard of the Palace, some enclosed internal spaces, and those at a lower level (the Crypt, Mu Quarter, etc). Because of the soluble nature of the materials and their poor state of preservation, there was a partial collapse of masonry and stone structures as well as parts of the earthen walls. The planned interventions include, among other things, cleaning of masonry and removal of biological elements, consolidation, filling and sealing of gaps, stabilising of walls and the conservation of floors.

History of the site
The excavations at Malia were begun by the Cretan Ephorate of Antiquities in 1915. In 1921 collaboration began with the French Archaeological School of Athens, which excavated the necropolis of Chrysolakkos. Ceramics from the 3rd century BC have been found at the site, but its systematic occupation is considered to have started between 2450 and 2200 BC.

During the Protopalatial period large architectural units were developed around the palace, such as the Mu Quarter and the Hypostyle Crypt and the adjoining Agora. At the end of the Protopalatial period (c. 1700 BC) the Malia site was destroyed by a strong earthquake which was followed by a fire. Following the catastrophe there were attempts to rebuild it at the beginning of the Neopalatial period (1700-1430 BC). However, in 1530 BC the palace was destroyed again, probably by the earthquake which followed the eruption of the volcano at Santorini. Around 1390 BC there was again activity at the site.

The Palace of Malia covers a floor area of 7,500 square meters and is aligned along a north-south axis, consistent with other Minoan palaces. In terms of architectural design and amenities, it is comparatively smaller and less elaborate than palaces like Knossos and Phaestos.
(Haniotika Nea/Ministry of Culture press release)