The first palaces were founded on Crete between 2000 and 1600 BC, on the sites of large settlements dating from the pre-palatial period. These were surrounded by towns organised into neighbourhoods.

With regard to architecture, the large palaces consisted of building complexes several storeys high, with courtyards, storage areas, so-called theatral areas and shrines. Such palaces have been found at Knossos, Phaistos and Malia.

In the neo-palatial period, two to five storey buildings of several rooms were built once more, along with shrines, storehouses, courtyards, stairways, apartments, baths, industrial areas and workshops, all arranged around a central courtyard.
These were adorned with stone-faced walls, paving, ornate frescoes and wall and floor plastering.

Minoan art at Knossos testifies to the zenith that cultural activity attained in the city. The exquisite frescoes adorning the palaces number among the few surviving examples of Greek pictorial art. Pottery and vase painting are of particular interest, production consisting in the main of ritual vessels, most especially of the bull head rhyton type.
The arts of jewellery making and seal cutting were also important - in both, Minoan artists lent graceful expression
to their fondness for miniatures.

The proto-palatial period (2000-1700 BC) was typified by the appearance and flourishing of Kamares style pottery, while in the neo-palatial period (1700-1450 BC) there was a clear predilection for the use of features drawn from nature, both in vase painting and in the frescoes adorning palaces and villas. Finally, the period from 1450 to 1000 BC was marked by the presence and influence of Mycenaean features.

~ Many thanks to the minicipality of Herakleion, Greece for all the above informations ~