The archaeological site of Gortyn is famous for the "Great Inscription," the oldest known law code in Europe.

Gortyn (Ancient Greek: Γορτύν, also Γόρτυνα Gortyna, Modern Greek: Γόρτυς Gortys) was an ancient city in central southern Crete, about 40 kilometers south of Heraklion near Agii Deka in the Messara Plain. The name may derive from the Proto-Indo-European word *ghordh, meaning "city."

Translated by Google •

Peter

November 18, 2025

The various founding myths all refer to the legendary King Minos. Traces of early settlement do indeed date back to the Neolithic period; a Minoan settlement was located in the southwestern part of the area. In Homer's Iliad, Gortyn is mentioned in the catalog of ships in Book Two, line 646 (German translation by Johann Heinrich Voss).

Translated by Google •

Albrecht

April 24, 2019

One of the best preserved documents of ancient Greek jurisprudence from the fifth century BC. The Romans probably built these stone tablets only for decorative purposes in their Odeon ((theater), since one can assume that they could not read these texts.

Translated by Google •

Details

Informations

Elevation 20 m

Weather

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Ηρακλείου, Greece

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Odeon of Gortyna

Ancient Olive Trees of Gortyna

View of Zaros and the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos

Church and Tombs of the Ten Martyrs of Agii Deka

Rouvas Gorge

Quarter of the Byzantine Houses

Rouvas Forest Plateau

Cretan Herb Garden in Psiloritis (Zaros and Rouvas)

Temple of Apollo

Rouvas Refuge

Gortyn Code Inscriptions

1. Gortyn Code Inscriptions – Odeon of Gortyna loop from Mitropoli

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️