The rows of storerooms down both sides of the corridor contained supplies of cereals, oil and wine in enormous terracotta jars (pithoi): in the last storeroom on the right there was a device for collecting the oil that flowed from the receptacles.

The outbuildings include workshops for craftsmen, such as the one for potters (remains of kilns), and storerooms including one containing the pithoi (terracotta jars). From the central courtyard a passage lined by a portico decorated with animal sculptures leads to a room known as the Customs House. Not far away there is a lustral basin. The Royal Road probably led to Katsámbas and Amnisós, the ports of Knossós. It passes by a set of well-preserved terraces, thought to be part of a theatre mentioned by Homer as the setting for ritual dances.

At the far end of the Paleó Limáni, the old Venetian port, are parts of the Arsenal: stores, docks and hangars where galleys were brought out of the water for repairs. The entrance to the harbour is commanded by the Venetian fortress, or Koúles (16C), still bearing the lions of St Mark. It has massive walls with embrasures for cannons, a cistern, a powder magazine and casemates communicating with stores for cannon balls. Fine views of the port and town from the top.

All that is left of this prestigious Roman city is a huge field of ruins, a jumble of stones scattered over several hundred metres beneath the olive trees. The ruins evoke the past glory of Gortyn, capital of Roman Crete and seat of its first Christian bishop. Legend holds that this is where Zeus married Europa under the plane trees, thus granting them the privilege of remaining forever green.