Archaeological Site of Gortyna
The ancient city of Messara, capital of the Roman province of Crete and Cyrenaica, with the Odeion, the Praetorium and the Law Code of Gortyn.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
At the far end of the Gortyn archaeological site rises a rare evergreen plane tree. Legend has it that in its shade Zeus united with Europa and the three kings of Crete were born: Minos, Sarpedon and Rhadamanthys. Gortyn was one of the most important cities of Minoan Crete and reached an even greater flourishing in Roman times, when it became the capital of the Roman province of Crete and Cyrenaica.
Ruins of monuments from the Neolithic to the Byzantine period survive in the area: the Minoan country house at Kanía (1700–1450 BC), parts of the fortifications of the ancient acropolis, the temple of Pythian Apollo (7th century BC), the only sanctuary of Egyptian deities on Crete (1st–2nd century AD), the Roman Odeion of the 1st century AD, the Praetorium, seat of the Roman governor (2nd century AD), and the basilica of Agios Titos (6th–7th century).
The most important find is the Great Inscription, the civil law code of Gortyn from around 450 BC, carved in the Doric dialect on stone stelae. Part of it survives on the walls of the Odeion and is regarded as the most complete and oldest legal code in Europe.
Highlights
- Great Inscription with the law code of Gortyn
- Roman Odeion
- Praetorium
- Basilica of Agios Titos
- Sanctuary of the Egyptian deities
- Operated by
- Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Ηρακλείου
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5People over 65 from Greece and the EU (with ID or passport), teachers accompanying school visits, and parents accompanying primary school pupils from Greece and the EU. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Free admission for children up to 18 years of age, with ID or passport. |
| Seniors | €5Reduced ticket for people over 65 from Greece and the EU, with ID or passport. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with a disability (67% or more) and one companion, with ID or passport and a disability certificate (KEPA or the equivalent from abroad). |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree admission for young people aged 18–25 from Greece and the EU, with ID or passport. |
Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October, and the first and third Sunday of each month from 1 November to 31 March.
Free and reduced admission also applies to other categories defined by the Ministry of Culture. Tickets are also available online via the Hellenic Heritage platform.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The site is described as accessible for people with mobility difficulties.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
There is an intercity bus connection from the city of Heraklion; the journey takes about 1 hour.
By car
Parking available
From the city of Heraklion, the drive takes about 50 minutes.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
On site there are a café and restaurant, a shop, Wi-Fi and toilets.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
