Ancient Gortyna: The Capital of Crete and the Law of Laws
We travel to Central Crete, into the heart of the Messara plain, to visit Ancient Gortyna. This is not just an archaeological site, but an entire dead city, which for 600 years served as the brilliant capital of the Roman province of Crete and Cyrenaica.
Walking among the ruins of Gortyna, you feel the weight of history. The site’s area is vast and the monuments cover a period of thousands of years, from the Minoan era to the early Christian centuries. The moment that captivates you is when you face the Great Law (the Code of Gortyn), carved into stone slabs in the area of the Odeon. The feeling is that you are standing before the most complete ancient Greek legal code ever found, a monument that demonstrates the cultural wealth and legal organization of this city.
The Story Behind It
Gortyna was inhabited since the Neolithic period and experienced its greatest peak during the Hellenistic and Roman years. Its fame is mainly due to the Code of Gortyn (5th century B.C.), which is exhibited in the Roman Odeon and is considered the “Queen of Inscriptions.” The code regulated all aspects of social life, from family law to inheritances, even granting some rights to women. According to mythology, this was the spot where Zeus, transformed into a bull, carried Europa under an ancient plane tree. The city became the capital of the Roman province in 67 B.C. and emerged as one of the most important Christian centers, with Saint Titus being its first bishop. Its final destruction came in the 7th century A.D. by the Arabs.
Why We Love It
We love it because it offers a unique, multi-dimensional immersion into history.
Gortyna is an “open book” that contains 3 different civilizations in one space. The presence of the Code of Gortyn (the oldest and most complete code) is in itself a reason to visit, as it is a source of world legal heritage. Furthermore, the Basilica of Saint Titus (6th century), one of the largest early Christian monuments in Crete, impresses with its size and the city’s connection to the beginning of Christianity on the island. Finally, the area is green and quiet, offering a pleasant route under trees, which is unusual for an archaeological site.
Fresh Tips:
- Organize Your Visit: The archaeological site is divided into 2 parts: the organized and fenced area (with the Odeon and the Code) and the open area (with the Basilica of Saint Titus, the Temple of Apollo, the Praetorium, etc.). You will need at least 2 hours to see the essentials.
- Don’t Miss: The must-see is the Code of Gortyn in the Odeon. Also, the Basilica of Saint Titus is imposing and worth walking through.
- Best Time to Visit: Due to the heat in the Messara plain, prefer visiting the site early in the morning (after the 8:00 a.m. opening) or late in the afternoon.
- Access: It is located about 45 kilometers south of Heraklion, on the road towards the beaches of Matala and Agia Galini. Access is very easy, and there is ample parking space.
Photos: Intime / ΥΠ.ΠΟ.
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