Gortys, one of the most important towns of Minoan Crete, continued to flourish during the Roman period, becoming the capital of the Roman provinces of Crete and Cyrenaica.
In the background of the archaeological site of Gortys there stands a rare evergreen plane tree. According to legend, Zeus mated with Europe in its shade and from this union were born the three kings of Crete: Minos, Sarpedon and Rhadamanthys.
It is no wonder that the area has preserved ruins of monuments dating from the Neolithic to the Byzantine era, such as the Minoan villa at Kania (1700 – 1450 BC), sections of the ancient acropolis’ fortification (10th – 6th century BC), the temple of the Pythian Apollo (7th century BC), the sanctuary of the Egyptian Gods (1st – 2nd century AD) – the only one in Crete – the Roman Odeon (1st century AD), the Praetorium, seat of the Roman governor (2nd century AD), and the basilica of Saint Titus (6th-7th century).
The find to top them all though is the Great Inscription, part of which is found on the walls of the Odeon, with the civil law of Gortys inscribed on stone stelae in the Doric dialect; dating from around 450 BC, the Great Inscription of Gortys is the oldest and most complete legislative code of Europe.
Directions
Ampelouzos
70012, Agioi Deka
By intercity bus, 1 hour from the city of Heraklion
50 minutes from the city of Heraklion
Opening hours
April 1 – August 31
Daily: 08:00 – 20:00
September 1 – September 15
Daily: 08:00 – 19:30
September 16 – September 30
Daily: 08:00 – 19:00
October 1 – October 15
Daily: 08:00 – 18:30
October 16 – October 31
Daily: 08:00 – 18:00
November 1 – March 31
Daily: 08:30 – 15:30
The site remains closed on the following dates and public holidays: January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday, December 25 & 26.
Tickets
Full: €10.00
Reduced: €5.00
Amenities
Contact
Archaeological Site of Gortyna
Τ: +30 28920 31144
Ephorate of Antiquities of Heraklion
Τ: +30 2810 279241, +30 2810 279200, +30 2810 279100
E: efahra@culture.gr
