The centre of Roman Crete
In the fertile plain of Mesara, a few kilometres south of Heraklion, Gortyna takes you on a journey to the history of a city that was the capital of the province of ‘Crete and Cyrenaica’ (Creta et Cyrenaica) during the times of the Roman Empire. The archaeological site highlights how the city flourished from the Hellenistic period to the early Byzantine period.
Walking through the site you will encounter the imposing Odeon, beside which the famous Gortyn Code was discovered, the oldest surviving collection of Greek laws, engraved on stone slabs. The Roman agora, baths, temples, and the basilica of St Titus are also preserved, providing evidence of the city’s long Christian tradition.
Touring Gortyna is ideally completed with a visit to the modern Archaeological Museum of Mesara, which was inaugurated in 2020, near Mires. The museum hosts finds from across the plain, covering a journey from the Neolithic period to the early Christian centuries. Exhibits include Minoan vessels and figurines, grave goods, and architectural elements that highlight the cultural wealth of the region.
Gortyna and the Museum of Mesara are a complete destination, where ancient history is presented in modern fashion, offering visitors the opportunity to experience southern Crete through the traces of time.
Walking through the site you will encounter the imposing Odeon, beside which the famous Gortyn Code was discovered, the oldest surviving collection of Greek laws, engraved on stone slabs. The Roman agora, baths, temples, and the basilica of St Titus are also preserved, providing evidence of the city’s long Christian tradition.
Touring Gortyna is ideally completed with a visit to the modern Archaeological Museum of Mesara, which was inaugurated in 2020, near Mires. The museum hosts finds from across the plain, covering a journey from the Neolithic period to the early Christian centuries. Exhibits include Minoan vessels and figurines, grave goods, and architectural elements that highlight the cultural wealth of the region.
Gortyna and the Museum of Mesara are a complete destination, where ancient history is presented in modern fashion, offering visitors the opportunity to experience southern Crete through the traces of time.
