
Gortys is crossed by the river Lithaios, today called Mitropolianos, that dominates the valley of Messara.

In the center of Gortys was the temple of Pythios Apollon, the most important pre-christianic temple of the city, built on the ruins of a Minoan settlement.


According to the myth, Zeus led Europe, after kidnapping her, to Gortys. The offsprings of this union were three sons, Minos, Sarpidon and Radamanthis.

Gortys was one of the oldest and strongest cities in Crete during the prehistoric and historic period. The population of ancient Gortys is believed to be 300.000 people. The Gortynians occypied Phaistos during the 3rd century B.C. During the Roman period reached the peak of its glory and it was the capital of Crete.

Gortys was the first city of Crete to accept Christianity, and maintained its glory until 828 A.D. when it was occupied and destroyed by the Saracens. Since then it was never inhabited again.

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