Plati, Lasithi plateau

Plati is a village in the Lasithi regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It is located on the Lasithi Plateau at an altitude of 850 meters, 49 kilometers from Agios Nikolaos. The village has a population of 107 residents (2021 census).

History

• Archaeological Finds:

  • Katsouheroi: Traces of habitation from the Early Minoan period have been found on a hill at this location.
  • Chostos Cave: Evidence of habitation from the Early Minoan and Middle Minoan periods has been found in this cave.
  • Meliskepos: A cemetery from the Middle Minoan period has been excavated 200 meters east of the village.
  • Pano Kefala: A Middle Minoan settlement and a Late Minoan cemetery have been identified north of the village.
  • Kato Kefali: A settlement from the Minoan and Archaic periods has been excavated at this site. The first excavation took place in 1913. The buildings were arranged in three complexes around a central square. This layout is unusual if the buildings belonged to different owners, as most Minoan settlements developed along narrow streets. If the buildings were part of a single complex, it would resemble the palace of Knossos, which is built around a central court.

• Venetian and Ottoman Periods:

  • 1364: The Venetians destroyed the villages on the Lasithi Plateau and prohibited habitation due to frequent uprisings.
  • 1465: The Venetians allowed the cultivation of cereals, leading to the establishment of temporary settlements (“metochia”), which later became permanent.
  • 1583: The census of Castrophylacas mentions Plati as “Mettocchio Plati de Sachielari” but does not record its population.
  • 1630: The census by Francesco Basilicata lists Plati as “Plati Metochio.”
  • 1671: The Ottoman census records Plati as having 15 “haratsia” (tax-paying households).
  • 1834: The Egyptian census records 25 Christian families living in Plati.
  • 1867: During the Cretan revolt, the Ottoman army, led by Omer Pasha, entered the Lasithi Plateau through the Plathiani Lagada. The first battle between the rebels and the Ottomans took place near Plati. The village was burned down by the Ottomans and later rebuilt.
  • 1881: Plati was part of the municipality of Psychro with 279 Christian inhabitants.

• 20th Century:

  • 1925: Plati was annexed to the community of Psychro.
  • 1928: It became the seat of its own community.
  • 1997: It was incorporated into the Municipality of Oropedio Lasithiou.

Village Key Points

• Historical References:
  • 1583 census of Castrophylacas as “Mettocchio Plati de Sachielari.”
  • 1630 census as “Plati Metochio.”
  • 1671 Ottoman census as “Plati” with 15 “haratsia.”
• Location: Lasithi Plateau, Lasithi regional unit, Crete, Greece. 49 km from Agios Nikolaos.
• Altitude: 850 meters
• Historical Significance: Minoan and Archaic settlement remains.
• Population: