Definition: The modern city of Akko (or ‘Akko, ‘Akka or Akka) in northwestern Israel was known to medieval Europeans as Acre. Control of the city changed hands rather frequently, especially during the Crusades.
- Timeline of Medieval Acre
614: Conquered by the Persians
638: Captured by Arabs
1110: Taken by the Crusaders and made their chief seaport in Palestine
1187: Recaptured by Saladin
1189: Besieged by Guy de Lusignan in the bloody Battle of Acre, October
1191: Taken by Crusaders with the help of Richard the Lionheart; made the capital of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem
1229: Placed under control of the Knights Hospitaller
1291: Captured by Mamluk Turks
1517: Taken by Ottoman Sultan Selim I
Examples:
Traditionally, the fall of Acre in 1291 marks the end of the Crusades.
