Gortys, the Odeon

Gortys, the Odeon

The Vouleuterion of Gortys was converted into an Odeon in the 1st century AD. The Odeon was used for musical events, plays and recitals. This is the most important ancient Odeon in Crete and one of the best of its type. It consists of three parts like the theatre, but it had a roof.

In the Odeon we can see:

• the koilon (auditorium) (1), where the audience sat. The carved stone stepped seats of Gortys are still preserved, evidence of the city's economic and cultural prosperity.
• the orchestra (2), a semicircular area paved with white and blue marble.
• the scene or stage (3), the raised rectangular area opposite the koilon with three entrances and square niches for statues. Behind the scene was the backstage area with a mosaic floor, a space later used for burials.

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