📷 Olaf Tausch · CC BY 3.0
Zominthos is an unusual high-altitude settlement for the Minoan civilization, built at around 1,187 m on the Psiloritis (Mount Ida) plateau. The impressive building complex of more than 40 rooms, uncovered in 1982 by archaeologist Efi Sapouna-Sakellaraki, is believed to have served as a waystation and religious centre on the route to the sacred Idaean Cave, the mythical birthplace of Zeus. In 2025, Zominthos was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List together with five other Minoan palatial centres.
© Mapillary, CC-BY-SA
Zominthos is located in Μετόχι, Π.Ε. Ρεθύμνης, Greece. Coordinates: 35.24881, 24.88705.
Zominthos is an unusual high-altitude settlement for the Minoan civilization, built at around 1,187 m on the Psiloritis (Mount Ida) plateau. The impressive building complex of more than 40 rooms, uncovered in 1982 by archaeologist Efi Sapou
You can navigate to Zominthos via Google Maps or Apple Maps using the coordinates 35.24881, 24.88705.
In antiquity it was known as “Zominthos (Crete)”.