Its courtyards, corridors, rooms and stairways excavated and partly reconstructed by Sir Arthur Evans, Knossos is the most important Minoan palace; this is also Greece's earliest city. Among this labyrinth of ruins, note the: sanctuary on the west side of the courtyard; throne room where the high priestess presided; royal apartments (four storeys); outbuildings for artisans and shops; and royal way, probably leading to the ports of Katsambas and Amnisos.