Festos, also known as Phaestos, is one of the most important Minoan sites on Crete and was once an important city of the Minoan civilisation, which reached its peak around the 2nd millennium BC.
The palace of Festos, which is situated on a hill overlooking the fertile Messara plain, was built around 1900 BC and has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. It is the second largest Minoan palace on Crete after Knossos and impresses with its extensive grounds and well-preserved remains.
The architecture of the palace is typical of the Minoan period, with large courtyards, storage rooms, workshops and living quarters. Particularly noteworthy is the central courtyard, which was used as a meeting place and for ceremonies. The elaborate design and advanced construction methods, including a sophisticated drainage system, testify to the high level of development of Minoan architecture.
One of the most famous discoveries from Festos is the Disc of Festos, a round clay disc covered with mysterious symbols and hieroglyphs. This inscription remains unsolved to this day and fascinates archaeologists and historians alike. The disc is an outstanding example of the written culture of the Minoans and is kept in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.
Gortys, also known as Gortyna, was an important city in Roman times and one of the largest and most influential cities in Crete. The city is located in the fertile Messara plain, not far from Festos.
Gortys has a long history dating back to Minoan times, but the city experienced its heyday during Roman rule. In the 1st century AD, Gortys became the capital of the Roman province of Crete and Cyrene, which considerably increased its influence and prosperity.
One of the most important archaeological finds in Gortys is the famous Code of Laws of Gortys, which was carved in stone and discovered in the ruins of the ancient Bouleuterion (council house). This codex, which dates back to the 5th century BC, is one of the oldest and most comprehensive collections of laws in ancient Greece and offers valuable insights into the legal system and social life of the time.
Another highlight is the Basilica of Titus, one of the oldest early Christian churches in Crete, which was built in the 6th century AD. It is dedicated to St Titus, the first bishop of Crete, and impresses with its size and the remains of the mosaic floors and marble columns.
The ruins of the praetorium, the seat of the Roman governor, as well as the remains of an ancient theatre and a Roman bath show the importance of Gortys as an administrative and cultural centre.