Gortyna

  • Gortyna site
Distance 45 km. away from Heraklion
Open to the public: Open every day, 08.00 - 15.00 (winter time)
Entrance fee: Adults 6 €, Senior citizens 3 €, Students and young people up to 18, free admission.
Toilet Facilities: Available
Café: Available
Wi-Fi: Available
Parking space: Available for all types of vehicles
Facilities for people with disabilities: Available
Supervised by: Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports
Access & walking difficulty: Difficulty rating, 1

One of the most important sites of Crete, located in south central Crete 45 km. away from Heraklion, towards Moires. The excavations started very early in 1896 by Frederic Halbher (Italian) and Josef Chatzidakis (Greek).Gortyna was one of the most powerful city states of ancient Crete. As the Romans captured the island, Gortyna became the capital city of Crete and Cyrene (north Africa) and enjoyed big prosperity. The city area is spread in many hectares of land, while in the visited by groups territory some of the most important buildings are: The big early Christian basilica of St. Titus, which was built in the 6th- 7th c.AD, and it is believed to be the first bishop’s seat in Crete, and the burial place of Titus, first bishop of the island. Then is the Roman Odeon, a building of the 1st c.AD from the times of Trian the Emperor. In the same area, is the Gortyna law code, known as the ‘Queen of inscriptions’ or ‘the Great inscription’ a collection of very early Greek laws that were cut on stone in the 5th c. BC. Across the street from the fenced site are a few more excavations that can not be visited properly though, only what one can see through the fence: The Praetorium, which was the governor’s home. The temple of Apollo, the temple of Isis and Sarapis, and the 5 ailed basilica of the 4th – 5th c. AD, which could be according to some the real church of St. Titus, ancient theaters, fountains and many more.

The finds of Gortyna are some in the Museum of Archaeology and some in the Historical Museum in Heraklion, while next to the café there is a small collection of Roman sculptures.

Your Cretan Odyssey Live the Cretan experience

Map

Other Travel Guides

{tguide_phototitle_en}

Sfakia

Sfakia is a coastal settlement of 350 residents. It played a leading role in all the Cretan uprisings against the Venetians and Ottomans and the wild character of its landscape has always provided a refuge for Cretans who were being pursued.

More
{tguide_phototitle_en}

RETHYMNO GUIDE

Life goes on! Behave responsibly and enjoy our destination safely

More
{tguide_phototitle_en}

The wetland of Almyros

Located along the north coast of the Malevizi district, it consists of a main spring, a lagoon and a river, as well as a marshland of about half a sq. km. around.

More
{tguide_phototitle_en}

Agia Roumeli

This is one name for two different settlements, the old and the new (inside and out) – Ayia Roumeli.

More
{tguide_phototitle_en}

Heraklion Archeological Museum

Αrtifacts from Neolithic and Minoan excavations of Crete are displayed in 14 galleries, as well as the collection of Hellenistic and Roman sculptures in two galleries. On the first floor, are the marvelous Minoan Frescoes displayed in a big gallery, and the exhibits of the Historical Period, displayed in 8 galleries.

More
Experiences
We know best
Follow us
Follow us on social networking pages and learn our news first
Contact us

Andreadaki 13-15 Heraklion, Crete
712 01, Greece
Tel.: +30 2810-342222
Fax: +30 2810-342212
e-mail: touristguidesofcrete@gmail.com
ΜΗ.Τ.Ε. 1039 Ε 6000 00870 00
Office hours: Mon - Fri: 9.00 - 15.00

Newsletter
Sign up to receive great deals first and our company news

CreditCards