Malia

Τhe Palace of Malia, is the third- largest of the Minoan palaces. According to tradition Sarpedon, the third son of Zeus and Europa, and brother of the legendary king Minos, ruled here.

The site was inhabited in the Neolithic and early Minoan period (6000- 2000 BCΕ), but very little trace remains. The first palace was built in 1900 BCΕ and destroyed in 1700 BCΕ when a new palace was built. Following the fate of the other palaces in Crete, it was also destroyed in 1450 BCΕ and the present ruins are mainly those of the new palace.