- Region
- Messara plain, Heraklion
- Distance
- About 45 km from Heraklion
- Highlight
- Law Code, Agios Titos basilica
- Hours
- Daily 08:00–20:00 in summer
The Law Code
Carved into stone blocks in the 5th century BC and later rebuilt into the wall of a Roman odeion, the code is written in the Dorian dialect, with lines running alternately left to right and right to left. Its twelve columns cover family law, inheritance, property and the rights of slaves and free people.
Roman capital
Gortyn was settled from Neolithic times and became one of Crete's largest cities in the Hellenistic period. It sided with Rome, and after the Roman conquest it became the provincial capital, with major public buildings. Across the main road you can see the Praetorium, the governor's residence.
Christian Gortyn
The basilica of Agios Titos, from the 6th century, honours Crete's first bishop. Later the administrative centre moved toward today's Metropolis, and the city was ruined after the Arab conquest.
Visiting
The fenced area with the odeion, Law Code and basilica is open daily; the rest of the site spreads through olive groves. Near the entrance stands an evergreen plane tree linked by legend to Zeus and Europa. Combine with Phaistos, 15 km west.
Questions before you go
What is the Gortyn Law Code?
A 5th-century BC legal inscription in twelve columns, the longest surviving ancient Greek law code.
How far is Gortyn from Phaistos?
About 15 km.
How long do you need at Gortyn?
About an hour for the main fenced area.
