Palace of Malia Pursues UNESCO World Heritage Designation

Wednesday, 27 May 2026/Source: CretaOne/1 min read

The Mayor of Hersonissos, Zacharias Doxastakis, has highlighted the importance of the Palace of Malia archaeological site and called for new interventions to fully develop its visitor potential. He emphasized the significance of the site's potential inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list, which would place it among the most recognized cultural landmarks in the world. The Palace of Malia is a Minoan palace complex located on the north coast of Crete, near the town of Malia, approximately 34 kilometers east of Heraklion. It dates to around 1900 BCE and is one of the three major Minoan palace sites on the island, alongside Knossos and Phaistos. Tourists visiting the area can already explore the site, which is managed by the Greek Ministry of Culture. An official UNESCO designation would likely bring improved infrastructure and broader international recognition to the site.