Gortys (Gortyna) was an extremely important city during the early christrian period till the Arab conquest. According to tradition, Gortyna was the first city of Crete to accept Christianity. It was the see of the Apostle Titus, first bishop of Crete, whose name bears the basilica. There are many important early Christian monuments inside the archaeological site of Gortyna, which covers a rather large area.

In 1884 the Italian archaeologists Halbherr and Fabricius started the excavations in this site. The Italian Archaeological School continues up to this day the excavatory research under the supervision of the Greek Archaeological Service. During these years, the excavatory research has brought to light a monumental early christian basilica near the archaeological site. The excavations of the 13th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities uncover an early christian tetraconch Baptistery.

The most important monuments of the archaeological site are: