The term 'CENTER OF THE MINOAN CIVILIZATION' can be summarized by the two crossword solutions, KNOSSOS (7 letters) and CRETE (5 letters). Knossos was an ancient palace located on the island of CRETE, which was the center of the Minoan civilization. This civilization flourished from around 2000 BC to 1450 BC and was one of the earliest advanced civilizations in Europe. Knossos was the largest and most influential city in the Minoan civilization, and it was the political, economic, and religious center of the Minoan world.