Acre (Akko)

Acre was one of the most important cities of the Crusaders in the 12th-13th centuries and is a must see.

Acre was conquered in 1103 AD by the King of the Crusaders, Baldwin the 1st. It became to be the most important city in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, after the city of Jerusalem. 4 empires helped the Crusaders in conquering Acre: Genova, Venice, Piza, and Amalfi. In return, each empire got a neighborhood in the city. During the 13th century the population in the city was 60,000 people (more than in Paris at that time), and after they failed to re-conquer Jerusalem, Acre became the capital of the Crusaders in the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

The Mamelukes conquest of Israel put an end to the Crusaders period in Israel and the city of Acre which was the Crusaders last stronghold was conquered by the Mamelukes in 1291. The Crusaders abandoned the flourishing city.

Only at the beginning of the 16th century Acre was built by the Ottomans. They covered the ruins of the Crusader city and built on top of it. This explains how so much of the Crusader city was preserved and waiting to be further excavated.

The city was at the peak of its prosperity in the 18th century at the time of Ahmad Al Jazzar (Ahmad the butcher). He fortified the city and under his rule the city withstood Napoleon’s siege which was the first time Napoleon was defeated.

For me, as a guide, it is always very exciting to take visitors to this city as it is a great place to explain how an archaeologist thinks and how the different pieces in the puzzle come together.

Unfortunately, I could not find a video that only talks about Acre at the time of the Crusaders; however, you have the opportunity to learn much more about this city’s exciting history.