Ancient Gortyn

 

The archaeological site of Gortyn (or Gortys) is located 45km south of Heraklion, near the village Agii Deka and next to the road connecting Agii Deka with Mires. The city covered a large area on the sides of the river Mitropolianos (or Litheos), even today surrounded by the ancient olive grove of Gortyn.

The area was inhabited since 3000BC, while during the Minoan era it evolved as one of the largest cities of Crete. Indeed, in the 3rd century BC it surpassed Phaestus and managed to possess the harbor of Matala, while retaining its port in Levina (current Lentas) and Lassea (current Chrysostomos). The town reached its peak during the Roman Empire, when the Romans moved the capital of Crete and Cyrenaica (today’s Libya) in Gortyn. The city was finally destroyed by the Arabs in 828AD, after arounr 10 centuries of prosperity.

The city of Gortyn is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. The first archaeological works started in 1884 by the archaeologists Federico Halbherr and Stefanos Xanthoudides, after they discovered the Great Inscription of Gortyn. 

THE PLANE TREE OF GORTYS

At the back side of the archaeological site, you will find a tall plane tree, which has something very rare. It is evergreen, unlike other deciduous plane trees, and has been the center of a fabulous myth. According to the Greek Mythology, this is the perennial plane tree of Gortyn under which Zeus and Europe mated mated. From this union, the three kings of Crete were born (Minos, Rhadamanthys and Sarpedon). Indeed, it is no coincidence that at Gortyn, several coins were found depicting Europe and Minos (or Zeus). Moreover, the name of Gortyn is believed to be related to Gortyn, the son of Radamanthys.

THE EXHIBITION OF THE STATUES

Near the parking place, a small room houses the Roman sculptures found in Gortyn. One of the most important statues probably depicts the emperor Antoninus Pius.

THE ROMAN ODEON

The Roman Odeon is the largest Odeon in ancient Crete, which is actually an indoor Roman theater. It was a very important part of the ancient city, where the Romans watched performances and talks. The auditorium has been maintained in quite good condition, as well as the semicircular orchestra and the stage which was decorated with statues. Next to the theater, there was the Agora and temple of Asclepius.

THE ACROPOLIS

Within walking distance from the city (northwest) and atop a hill, you can visit the ruins of the acropolis of Gortyn. The hill was inhabited till 6000BC, but after the Dorian invasion (1100BC) it was fortified with a polygonal wall with towers at its corners. On the Acropolis, the archaeologists have identified the ruins of a Byzantine basilica (6th century AD) built on the site of an older Greek temple dedicated to Athena (7th century BC)