The archaeological place of Malia is located 34 km. east of Heraklion and 3 km. beyond the summer resort of the
same name. Excavations have brought to light a palace similar to the
ones at Knossos and Festos (also built around 1900 B.C. and abandoned
about 1450 B.C.).
At Chrissolakos (Pit of Gold), archaeologists also unearthed the districts
surrounding the Minoan palace and cemetery. The palace covered an area of about
9.000 sq. m. Many of the objects now on display in Heraklion's Archaeological
Museum were found at Malia.