Modern Minoan I

This is a block of flats in Herakleion, on Averof str., an excellent example of Minoan influence on modern Greek architecture - a subject very close to my heart which I intend to explore more. 

Over the ground floor, which is used for modern shops, there are three floors of houses and offices. The building has a three-sided facade, with a large balcony on each floor running on all sides. On the central side there is a recess veranda on each floor with Minoanising elements. The one on the first floor features two Minoan columns supporting an architrave with the characteristic Minoan discs symbolising wooden beam-ends. The verandas on the second and third floor are flanked by pilasters which support an architrave with a zone of running spirals, a very characteristic Minoan motif.

This part of the building's facade is directly influenced by Evavs' reconstructions in the palace of Knossos. Herakleion is of course so close to Knossos that such influences are to be expected. Still, it's always extremelly interesting to note the way modern architects incorporate such elements of ancient Greek architecture in modern constructions.

This post is entirely due to photographs very generously supplied by Greek archaeologist Flora Michelaki. 

Flora supplied a photograph of the building before its recent facade painting (and addition of a rather large advertising board) on which the relief zones on the verandas' architrave are better visible. She was also kind and generous to supply fresh photographs -taken only a few days ago- and give me permission to publish them here. 

Flora I can't thank you enough!