Archaeological Site of Gortyna — Attraction in Municipality of Gortys

I recently visited the Gortyna Archaeological Site in Crete and was thoroughly impressed. This expansive site offers a captivating journey through time, showcasing remnants from various historical periods.

Park in the main car park and visit the closest part and then walk across the road to visit the other sites - all within 10 mins walk from each other. No need to drive.

One of the standout features is the Gortyn Code, the oldest and most complete known example of ancient Greek law, inscribed in the Dorian dialect on large stone slabs. These inscriptions, dating back to the 5th century BC, provide invaluable insights into the legal practices of the time. 

The site also has the remains of the Praetorium, the seat of the Roman Governor of Crete, constructed in the 1st century AD and modified over the following centuries.

Nearby (over the road) are the ruins of Roman baths, the Temple of Apollo, an honorary arch, and a temple dedicated to Egyptian deities, reflecting the diverse cultural influences here. 

I also learnt that Gortyna is steeped in mythology. According to legend, it was here under a plane tree that Zeus, disguised as a bull, united with the princess Europa, leading to the birth of Minos, Rhadamanthys, and Sarpedon. This mythological connection adds a rich layer to the site’s historical significance. 

While the site is still a work in progress, with ongoing excavations, it’s well worth a visit for history enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. The blend of legal history, Roman architecture, and mythological lore makes Gortyna a unique destination that offers a deep dive into Crete’s...

We enjoyed our visit even though I was concerned about prior reviews that stated that there was little to see and the site was badly organized. I must admit that a few signs, with a brief explanation, would have significantly improved our visit- something that could gave been easily done. But the brochure included a map and with the help of the staff, we figured out where the the number items were located. The young man at the entry gate, not the ticket booth, was very helpful in answering all our questions and spoke English very well.

For sure, walk across the major road from the main site to visit the items still under excavation. Along the smaller paved road, walk about 50 yards and take the gravel road on your left - there is a road sign there pointing to the Praetorium. Walk along the gravel road to the fenced areas on your left and take a look - easy to see through fences. As you near the end of the fence along the road, follow the fence to the left as it wraps around the excavation site and on the opposite side of the fence there are signs for the Praetorium, the Temple of Apollo, and the Temple of Egyptian Gods. The Praetorium and Temple of Apollo were very impressive and should not be missed.

I must admit that we had perfect weather for wondering around leisurely as it was overcast, a nice temperature, and a cool breeze. Probably not as enjoyable on a...

A site full of a history for sure but the way it's run is kinda disgraceful. First if all you get no leaflet of any kind except of ONE page of text with a very general overview accessible via QR code ( it's not like everyone uses this technology dear people). Apart from that limited overview there is a map and a list of particular buildings/ temples etc. The map is unclear, at best. That's what we got in order to know what we're looking at. But there's better. There is NOT A SINGLE plate with information ( let alone the names (!) of the sites) in that place. Not a single one. Like seriously?? So you see things and you have no clue what's that. I have never seen anything like this before :/ It's not the whole thing to inform people about a history? You need to give a context to the ruins right? If you want to visit this place why not but make sure to do your own research beforehand. I am pretty sure this should look differently...Dear Cretans, it doesn't really feel like adding some plates with basic or more elaborated info about the particular places located there would be too much of an effort, it really does work like that everywhere else ( just look at the other archeological sites in Crete) so why you didn't? Please respect your own legacy and the people who'd like to know more about it. Great potential but for now,...