Cape Arkona (Jaromarsburg) Slavic Temple Fortress
Early Middle Ages (9th–1168 CE, temple peak 1100–1168)·Slavic Rani Principality (Svantevit cult)·🇩🇪 Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Rügen Island, Putgarten, Wittow peninsula, Cape Arkona cliffs, Germany
About
About Cape Arkona (Jaromarsburg) Slavic Temple Fortress
Cape Arkona (Jaromarsburg) Slavic Temple Fortress in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Rügen Island, Putgarten, Wittow peninsula, Cape Arkona cliffs, Germany is a Early Middle Ages (9th–1168 CE, temple peak 1100–1168) Slavic Rani Principality (Svantevit cult) site built 9th c. settlement; temple-fort 11th c. as slavic pagan temple fortress of svantevit, capital of rani principality on chalk cliffs. Documented via 1520s; excav. Herrmann 1969–71; Berlekamp. The Slavic Rani Principality (Svantevit cult) earthwork at Mecklenburg-Vorpommern preserves double earth rampart cutting off temple plateau 40×70 m above 45 m chalk cliff, destroyed 1168 saxo grammaticus.
It illustrates Slavic Rani Principality (Svantevit cult) expansion and plateau 40×70 m; ramparts 20 m gap; cliff 45 m.
Why it mattersCape Arkona (Jaromarsburg) Slavic Temple Fortress in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Rügen Island, Putgarten, Wittow peninsula, Cape Arkona cliffs, Germany is a Early Middle Ages (9th–1168 CE, temple peak 110
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Four-headed Svantevit idol description myth vs wood preservation
Theories
- 01Arkona as Baltic pagan last bastion after Christianity; Danes absorbed its fleet tribute
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 9th c. settlement; temple-fort 11th c.
- Period
- Early Middle Ages (9th–1168 CE, temple peak 1100–1168)
- Culture
- Slavic Rani Principality (Svantevit cult)
- Purpose
- Slavic pagan temple fortress of Svantevit, capital of Rani principality on chalk cliffs
- Abandoned
- 1168 (Danish king Valdemar I sack)
- Rediscovered
- 1520s; excav. Herrmann 1969–71; Berlekamp
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
9th c. settlement; temple-fort 11th c.
Initial construction
c. 1684 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
54.6766° N · 13.4369° E · 50 m · 2 mapped features
Jaromarsburg Temple Plateau
templeTemple platform with four-post idol foundation
54.6768° N · 13.4370° EArkona Chalk Cliff and Double Rampart
rampartChalk cliff 45 m with double earth rampart
54.6760° N · 13.4365° E