The small and unknown plateau is located at an altitude of 950m, between Limnakaro Plateau and Embaros Village at the southwest slopes of the Dikti mountains in Lassithi Prefecture. The origin of the name derives from the ancient city Ergano whicht was built on the hill next (south) to the plateau. The plateau is used today for growing vines, while the views of the surrounding peaks and wooded valley of Emparos is very nice.

Of special interest are the post-Minoan, early-Geometric findings in the area of Erganos. The ruins of a settlement and its cemetery have been discovered. It lies on mount Kefali (alt. 1090m), between the Embaros and Erganos basins, above the mount crossing that connects Viannos (Ano Viannos Village) and the plateaus of Limnakaro and Lasithi, as said before. Despite the rocky nature of the mountain, which makes the settlement more of a refuge-shelter, careful examination of the topography reveals important advantages for its inhabitants. Its fortified and central position, the clear view towards the cultivable grounds and the already inhabited areas of the west, as well as the neighbouring village of Ergana, were justified to attract the interest of the people, despite the fact there wasn't any fertile soil. This leads us to conclude its inhabitants didn't deal with agriculture, in fact they probably were hunters or cattle-breeders, or even thieves plundering the nearby settlements. However, modern cultivations of vineyards and seasonal cattle pasturage might support the original hypothesis.

Hiking in the area:

From the Naturalist Club Heraklion (fysi.gr):

Ano Viannos Village - Erganos Plateau - Embaros village. Walking hours: 5,5 hours

Photos by the Naturalist Club Heraklion - Fysi.gr

The Video:

More Crete:

• Map
• Plateaus
• Villages
• Gorges
• Sites
• Other

Krapi plateau in the White mountains

Kallikratis plateau in Chania, West Crete

Nissimos plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Askifou plateau in the White mountains

Paranimfi and Mournia Plateaus, Asterousia

Tavri and Niatos plateau in Askifou

Stroumboulas plateau in Heraklion

Ziros - Chandras plateau by Sitia, East Crete

Omalos - Simi - Viannos plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Lasithi Plateau, East Crete

Gious Kambos plateau in Rethymno

Vothonas plateau in Chania

Evdomo plateau in Tilissos

Limnakaro Plateau by Lassithi Mountains

Omalos plateau in the White mountains

Kali Limenes Village in South Crete, Heraklion

Timbaki, Messara South Central Crete

Lentas Crete holidays coastal village

Sissi in Malia, Heraklion, Central Crete

Tsoutsouros in Heraklion, South Central Crete

Stalis or Stalida by Malia in Heraklion, Central Crete

Kokkinos Pirgos coastal village by South Crete - Mesara

Gouves in Heraklion, Central Crete

Arkalochori in Heraklion, Central Crete

Tris Ekklisies Village in South Crete, Heraklion

Chersonisos in Heraklion, Central Crete

Tylissos or Tilisos in Heraklion, Central Crete

Matala, south Crete. Holidays in Crete

Adele village, Rethimno, Central Crete

Analipsi village in Heraklion, Central Crete

Martsalo Gorge, Matala

Keratokambos or Portela Gorge in south Crete Heraklion

Kounaviano gorge in Heraklion Crete

Petres Gorge in Rethimno

Kourtaliotiko Gorge in Plakias, south Crete

Selinari gorge in Heraklion Crete

Kotsifou Gorge in Plakias, south Crete

Ambelos and Rosa Gorge in Gonies

The gorge of Vorizia

The gorge of Platania, Psiloritis mountain

Spiliotissa gorge in Choudetsi

Preveli Gorge in Rethimno, South Crete

Agios Antonios gorge by Asites

Arvi Gorge in south Crete Heraklion

Karteros or Astrakiano gorge in Heraklion Crete

Lappa archaeological site in Argiroupolis, Rethimno

Levin: Ancient Lentas, South Crete

STEGA: The Archaeology of Houses and Households in Ancient Crete

Agios Antonios chapel in Agiofarago gorge, South Crete

Palace in Tourkogeitonia, Archanes

Apodoulou minoan settlement archaeological site in south Crete

The Fortress of Monopari, Rethimno, Crete

Phestos or Phaistos-Festos archaeological site in Crete

The Rimondi Fountain, Rethimno

Gortys – A City for the Ages

Smari Acropolis in Kastelli Heraklion

Knossos archaeological site on Crete, Heraklion

Vathipetro archaeological site in Archanes on Crete, Heraklion

Ancient Rizinia, Heraklion

The venetian castle - fortress Paliokastro

25 August St in Heraklion City, Crete

Agios Nikitas palm forest

Giali Tzamisi, Ottoman Historical sites in Chania

Habitat «Palm groves with Phoenix»

The Heraklion Venetian Harbour

Visit the area of Mirtos: Chrissi and Sarakina

Koudoumas Forest in Asterousia Mountains

Tenda in Palekastro, East Crete

Venetian Period (1204-1669) in Chania

Seli Ambelou pass in Lassithi Plateau, East Crete

Kallergi mountain shelter in Lefka Ori

The Municipal Garden of Chania

Lighthouse Chomatistra in Mirambelo

The mountaineering shelter Prinos

White mountains in Chania. Lefka Ori West Crete