Ever wanted to rule an empire? Well now you can, virtually at least. Register with Historvius and you can be the king of the castle, or the emperor of the Colosseum! Sign up now and start uploading comments and photos to historic sites you've visited. You'll get points for your activity and those with the most points on any historic site get to rule. Don't get complacent though, as any ruler knows, there's always someone waiting in the wings to usurp your crown…
Gortyna
« back to search results | add to shortlist
user rating
- Name
- Gortyna
- Continent
- EUROPE
- Alt Name:
- Gortyn
- Country:
- Greece
- Period:
- Ancient Rome
- Sub-Region:
- -
- Date:
- 0AD - 99AD
- City/Town:
- Gortyna
- Figure:
- -
- Resorts:
- Heraklion,
- Related:
- Knossos, Heraklion Archaeological Museum,
about Gortyna
Gortyna or “Gortyn” in Crete was an ancient settlement originally founded in approximately 3000 BC, during the Neolithic era. However, it was during the Roman era, from around the first to the fifth centuries AD, that Gortyna flourished, with a population of up to 100,000 people.
During the Roman period, Gortyna was the capital city of Crete and a number of important temples and buildings were built here, the remains of which can still be seen today. The Temple of Pythian Apollo is a particularly notable ruin, whose outline is identifiable as is its stepped altar.
Gortyna’s former prosperity is evident throughout this site, especially in the inscription of its Gortyn Law Code on the Odeon building, dating back to the sixth century BC and which is the longest of its kind.
Gortyna was also an important Christian site. The ruin of the seventh century Basilica of St Titus marks it as such and is a reminder of the rich history of this site. Destroyed by the Saracens in 824 AD, Gortyna is now an archaeological site.
Just as empires rise and fall so do entry fees and opening hours! While we work as hard as we can to ensure the information provided here about Gortyna is as accurate as possible, the changing nature of certain elements mean we can't absolutely guarantee that these details won't become a thing of the past. If you know of any information on this page that needs updating you can add a comment above or now.
contact details
Address: Gortyna, Route Irakleiou-Mioron, Crete
Phone: +30 28920 31144
E-Mail: protocol@kgepka.culture.gr
useful information
Directions:
Gortyna is located in the south of Crete, approximately 50km south of Heraklion along Route 90 towards Mires. By car, drive south out of Iraklio (Heraklion) following the road toward Mires (also spelled Moires). Keep going south. Signs will alert you to Gortyn which appears suddenly out of olive groves along the right side of the road when coming from Heraklion.
Ticket Information:
Gortyna is open daily, 8am-7:30pm. Entry costs €4.
Links:
http://www.culture.gr/h/3/eh352.jsp?obj_id=2355
Historvius is not responsible for the content of external sites.
USER COMMENTS
You must register or sign in to post comments.
You must register or sign in to post comments.
04 Apr, 2012
this website is great