The Sanctuary of Pythian Apollo, located at the heart of the ancient Agora, was excavated in 1887. It was the most important temple and religious center of ancient Gortyna until the spread of Christianity and the establishment of the Basilica of Saint Titus around 500 AD. The original structure, dating back to the 7th century BC, consisted of a rectangular cella (inner chamber) supported by four wooden columns at its center to hold up the roof. Its outer walls and the steps of the platform (crepidoma) were inscribed with archaic texts. During the Hellenistic period, a monumental pronaos (front porch) was added, and inscribed stelae were placed between the columns. Further modifications and additions were made during the Roman era, including the construction of a small theater on the western side of the temple. By the Middle Byzantine period, the once-sacred site had been abandoned and was repurposed with houses and aqueducts built around the former sanctuary.

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