Top Ten "Unknown" Greek Destinations: #5 - Gortyn
On the island of Crete almost directly south of Iraklion, this vast city of ruins contains ancient temples, including an unexpected Temple of the Egyptian gods with an underground Nilometer supposedly measuring the rise of the Nile a nation and an ocean away, a well-preserved Byzantine church with an icon of the Black Madonna, and endless olive trees growing among the fallen marble stones. Well worth a few hours wandering, and easy access by car from Iraklion. Check out Phaistos, a Minoan palace site, on the same trip.
>Why Go to Gortyn
Gortyn
From Elena Kontoyorgaki, with photos by Yannis Samatas, an evocative look at the ruined (but still functioning) church during a nighttime ceremony.
