The 12th July marked a historic day for Greece and for Crete, with the decision to include the Minoan palaces of Crete in the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites. The inclusion of the six Minoan palatial centres of Knossos, Phaestos, Malia, Zakros, Zominthos and Kydonia in the UNESCO World Heritage list was confirmed at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, which took place at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris from 6th to 16th July 2025.
The Culture Minister Lina Medoni and Greece’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Giorgos Koumoutsakos, at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, July 2025. Photo: Ministry of Culture.
“Following a historic decision, the Minoan Palatial Centres of Crete are now part of the World Heritage List,” Greece’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Giorgos Koumoutsakos told APE-MPE. “Putting the UNESCO stamp of approval on Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, Zakros, Zominthos and Kydonia is a recognition of the uniqueness and superior nature of Minoan culture,” he said. “A culture which flourished more than 5,000 years ago, with its cultural creativeness, the development of trade throughout the Eastern Mediterranean and the formation of a robust social structure which was centred on the palatial centres. A culture which at the same time believed in the joy of life, as demonstrated by the wall paintings known throughout the world.
“This historic decision is a source of joy and pride for Greece, for Crete and for all of us, but a the same time of great responsibility: for us to protect and preserve this uniquely important cultural asset with all our strength.”
The Prime Minister
In a post on social media the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that the move was a recognition by UNESCO of the universal value of Minoan culture. “The decision of the 47th meeting of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee represents international acknowledgment of the outstanding universal value of Minoan culture. One of the most brilliant in the prehistoric Aegean, which emerged in Crete to become the root of European thought and aesthetics,” he said. “Thus the abduction of Europa by Zeus, as well as the myth of Ariadne, return from ancient Greek mythology into modern life, bringing their timeless messages. With chief among them the lesson of the eternal struggle for human freedom and progress.”
The Prime Minister emphasised that this development, which brings joy to every Greek man and woman, is the achievement of a years-long and persistent collective effort by many actors. He congratulated the Ministry of Culture and Greece’s Permanent Representative at UNESCO, as well as the Region of Crete and all the organisations which contributed to the preparation of the nomination dossier.
The Ministry of Culture
The inscription of the six Minoan Palatial Centres on the UNESCO World Heritage list, which was announced at the organisation’s’ 47th Congress on Saturday 12th July, was described by the Ministry of Culture as a major success for the country, constituting international recognition of the outstanding universal value of the Cretan archaeological sites. At the same time it represents a commitment for Greece to preserve unscathed the cultural value of these important monumental complexes, the Ministry said.
Culture Minister Lina Medoni said: “With the registration of the Minoan Palatial Centres in the list of World Heritage Sites, one of the most brilliant cultures of the prehistoric Aegean is internationally recognised and established. … The highlighting of Minoan culture enables us to better understand the beginnings of European cultural evolution, establishing Crete as a cradle of culture of global significance.”
In its announcement, the Ministry noted: “The Minoan Palatial Centres are the most iconic identifying element of Minoan culture, one of the most noteworthy prehistoric cultures of the Eastern Mediterranean which developed over two millennia (2800-1100 BC).” The Ministry also paid tribute to the various departments and organisations which were involved in compiling the nomination dossier:
Two of the Palatial Complex sites inscribed in the World Heritage list: Phaestos (top) and Malia. Photos: Ministry of Culture.
The responsibility for compiling the dossier was assumed by the Ministry of Culture’s Directorate for Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, in collaboration with the Ephorates of Antiquities in Crete and with the active support of the Region of Crete. Invaluable help in compiling the archaeological documentation of the dossier was received from the Foreign Archaeological Schools and the directors of the regular excavations being carried out in Crete
The Department of the Natural Environment and Meteorology of the National Kapodistrian University of Athens was chiefly responsible for documenting the risks associated with climate change, while the university community in general made abundant contributions to documenting specific issues of Minoan archaeology.
The Regional Governor of Crete
In his statement on the listing, the Regional Governor of Crete Stavros Arnautakis said: “A years-long and systematic effort has yielded a splendid result. With the formulation, documentation and acceptance by UNESCO of the candidacy of the Minoan Palatial Centres, Crete has acquired through “soft power” an expanded role in universal cultural diplomacy.
“The inscription of the six Minoan Palatial Centres in the UNESCO World Heritage List is a development with undoubtedly multifarious advantages for our region. From today, when speaking of the Minoan Palaces, people will recognise that we are referring to monuments of world heritage. And that makes us proud and optimistic for the future.”
The mayor of Chania
The mayor of Chania Panagiotis Simandirakis, in his announcement, emphasised that “For Chania, the inscription of Minoan Kydonia has a special symbolism. It is the only one of these monuments which is situated within the living fabric of a modern city. In the heart of the Old City, our Kydonia is a daily reminder that history is not something remote, it is present, it is ours, it is a part of our identity.
“The mission of the Municipality of Chania is to transmute this global recognition into an opportunity to bring our history closer to the citizens, to our children, to visitors, to connect our cultural heritage with daily life, with education, with the quality of life. Chiefly, however, to promote Chania as a city which respects the past and builds on it to create its future.”
The Municipality of Chania’s announcement notes that the Minoan Palatial Centre of Kydonia was established on the summit of and around the Kastelli hill and stresses that “the peculiarity of this palatial centre by comparison with the other five, and at the same time its most characteristic feature, is the fact that the major part of it remains buried under successive strata of numerous historical periods. Excavations have been continuing uninterrupted since the middle of the 20th century, uncovering parts of the many historical periods of the city and constituting a unique palimpsest which enchants visitors from all over the world.”
The mayor of Heraklion
The mayor of Heraklion, Alexis Kalokairinos called the development “a historic moment for Greece, Crete and Heraklion, since the recognition of the historic and cultural value of Knossos and the other Palatial Centres of Crete, will contribute to their protection and their promotion.”
The mayor of Sitia
The mayor of Sitia Giorgos Zervakis described the event as “a historic moment, which confirms the global importance and uniqueness of Minoan Culture”. These remarkable monuments, he said, “include the Palace of Kato Zakros, the most important archaeological find in eastern Crete, which demonstrates the wealth, the cosmopolitan nature and the historic importance of the area of Sitia in the Minoan era…. It is now our great responsibility to intensify the efforts to protect, maintain and promote these unique monuments, so that they may remain a living heritage for future generations.”
The archaeological site of the Palace at Kato Zakros, which is on the coast some 30 km south east of Sitia. Photo: Ministry of Culture.
The mayor of Anogeia
Socrates Kefalogiannis, the mayor of Anogeia said: “The inscription of Zominthos in the UNESCO World Heritage List is not only a high honour for our region, but a great responsibility for the future. It is a new starting point for cultural and scientific collaboration and for a sustainable form of preservation of a heritage which belongs to the whole of humanity.
“All the inhabitants of Anogeia owe eternal thanks to the late, great excavator Giannis Sakellarakis and to our dear Efi, the archaeologist and honorary citizen of Anogeia, Efi Sapouna-Sakellaraki, whose work was decisive in the outcome of this years-long effort.”
In celebration of the achievement, the Municipality of Anogeia is organising in August a three-day programme of events on Minoan culture at Zominthos, which lies on the slopes of Mt Psiloritis, a few kilometres south of the village.
Sources: Haniotika Nea 14/07/25, Neakriti.gr
Detailed descriptions of the six palatial sites can be found in the UNESCO listing, which includes the full documentation submitted, along with maps and photographs, here: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1733