The fourth largest Minoan palace in Crete, Kato Zakros was the permanent residence of the royal family, as well as the region's administrative, commercial and religious centre. Its location made it the main trade gate towards the Middle East. A first palace had been built around 1900 BC, but the ruins that can be visited today are those of a second complex, rebuilt c 1600 BC and destroyed c 1450 BC, probably submerged by a volcanic eruption.