A partial replica of the iconic Dolphin Fresco at the Palace of Knossos on Crete collapsed last Friday as powerful winds swept across the island. The section that fell was a modern reconstruction dating back to the 1960s, not the original artwork.
Knossos, one of Greece’s most visited archaeological sites, had already been evacuated and temporarily closed as a safety precaution due to the extreme weather conditions. According to local media, approximately 300 visitors had been present at the site earlier in the day.
The replica, located on the palace’s eastern wing, was made of plaster and divided into three parts—two of which fell and sustained damage. Fortunately, the original Dolphin Fresco, a masterpiece of Minoan art discovered and reconstructed by British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans, remains safe and is currently on display at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.
The collapse has raised renewed concerns about the preservation of open-air reconstructions at heritage sites, especially in the face of increasingly erratic weather patterns likely driven by climate change. Experts emphasize the need for careful monitoring and potentially rethinking the placement of replicas in vulnerable outdoor settings.
Authorities have launched an assessment of the site to ensure the safety of future visitors and to evaluate any potential structural risks to other restored elements within the palace complex.
