The archaeological site of Knossos is to be provided with a fire protection network and a lightning prevention system, as part of an overall upgrade programme by the ministry of Culture which will include the protection and promotion of the Minoan palace and the improvement of visitor access routes. According to a ministry press release, the works, with a total budget of €3.5 million, are being funded through the ESPA Regional Operational Programme “Crete 2021-2027”.
The protection works, along with the reconfiguration of the Knossos site, are a priority for the ministry of Culture. The aim is a permanent solution to the management of the site’s operational and aesthetic issues, allowing a total upgrading of the archaeological site and reinforcing the visitor experience.
According to the Culture Minister, Lina Medoni: “Knossos is the second most visited archaeological site in Greece, after the Acropolis in Athens. The promotion of the Minoan Palace of Knossos, together with five other palace complexes from the same period, is a basic priority of the ministry of Culture. The six Minoan palaces have been proposed by our country for inclusion, serially, in UNESCO’s World Heritage List for 2025
“It is in this context that restoration works are being carried out on landmark elements at the archaeological site, as well as improvements to accessibility and to the visitors’ experience as they tour the site. Included are vital works for their protection from risks such as lightning and fire, reinforcing security for workers and visitors.”
The minister concludes: “The overall upgrading of the Knossos site aims to highlight its unique archaeological and historical importance, offering an experience worthy of the size and stature of this particular Minoan monument. I wish to thank in particular the Region of Crete and personally the Regional Governor Stavros Arnautakis for their continual and unreserved support, and for our excellent and always fruitful collaboration.”
According to the ministry’s announcement, the aim of installing active fire protection in the area surrounding the site is to protect both workers and visitors, as well as the monument and its ancillary buildings, in the case of fire. The needs of the surrounding area are to be covered by a new firefighting complex making use of an existing reservoir. An underground pipe network is being installed to provide a permanent water supply, with fire hose cabinets at different points. The installation of firefighting monitors [water discharge points] at selected places is planned, as well as the placing of the appropriate types of fire extinguisher according to the function of the space. A fire detection system will also be in operation, while plans of escape routes, assembly points and the position of firefighting equipment will be posted at various points on the site.
In addition, the programme for promotion and protection of the monuments at Knossos includes the installation of a lightning prevention system. According to the Culture ministry, this entails the placing of three lightning protection installations: at assembly point 1 to the north of the monument, where a 320 sq m shelter will be constructed; at assembly point 2 to the south west, next to the pumping station and the guard post, where a shelter of 201 sq m will be built; and at assembly point 3, at the western visitors’ entrance, where a 258 sq m shelter will be erected on top of the existing pergola,
A public address system will be installed at various points on the site for the broadcasting of messages in case of fire or other emergency.
(Haniotika Nea/APE-ME, 03/05/25)
The danger from lightning
Thunderstorms and lightning are a familiar phenomenon throughout Greece, particularly during spring and autumn, with Crete being one of the most commonly affected areas. According to a recent post on the Hellenic Daily News NY website, “Data analysis from the European meteorological satellite Meteosat-12 revealed that by 18:10 on Friday 25th April, nearly 5,000 lightning strikes (electrical discharges) had been recorded, with the majority occurring in Crete and Rhodes”.
As the emphasis on lightning protection at Knossos shows, lightning strikes are not uncommon there also. The most severe incident occurred on 29th May 2015 when around 16 Russian tourists were injured at the archaeological site as lightning struck during a sudden storm. The tourists had taken refuge from the storm under a tree and several of them were taken to hospital in Heraklion with light injuries and shock, while one woman suffered cardiac arrest, from which she was resuscitated but reportedly remained in a serious condition.
In May 2023, a 26-year old British tourist on Rhodes died after being struck by lightning while swimming in the sea during a thunderstorm, despite being urged to come out by other tourists.