The archaeological site of ancient Gortys or Gortynas is located 45km south of Heraklion, on the west side of the settlement of Agioi Deka. The ruins of ancient Gortyna are located on an area of ​​about 4,000 acres and are visible even with a walk through the cultivated lands of the local residents.

Gortyna was the capital of Crete and Cyrenaica (today’s Libya) during the Roman period and flourished in the Minoan period. However, findings reveal the exploitation of the area since the Neolithic era.

Ancient Gortys was hit by two earthquakes but managed to rebuild. Its almost complete destruction took place in 828 AD, when the Arabs occupied Crete and the capital was moved to Khandaka (today’s Heraklion). Since then the city has not been inhabited again.

At the entrance to the main archaeological site, one encounters a stone-built temple, dating back to the 7th or 8th century. A.D. The church was built after the total destruction of one of the first Christian churches, which was also dedicated to Saint Titus and is located just a few meters south of the main archaeological site. From the temple located at the entrance of the archaeological site, the Holy Altar is preserved, while the ruins of the original three-aisled basilica are visible. The church today is dedicated to the Virgin.

Near the temple is one of the most important ancient conservatories of Crete. It is a typical Roman theater of the 1st century AD. From the 6th c. A.D. its use as a Conservatory is abandoned and burials take place in the background area.