Clan Rising
Charenza today

Germany · Partial ruin

Charenza

Charenza (also Karentia or Karenz) was a medieval Slavic burgwall on the island of Rügen that served as an administrative and religious centre of the Rani. It is recorded in 12th- and early 13th-century sources and later identified with the earthwork remains near Venz (Venzer Burgwall). The site today survives as grassy ramparts and ditches with tree cover.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1168

Today

Partial ruin

As it stood in 1168

What Charenza looked like in its prime.

A low, roughly circular earthen ringwork (burgwall) formed by a continuous raised bank and external ditch, the ramparts now largely grass-covered and lined with trees. The interior is a broad, level hollow of meadow within the ring, punctuated by gentle rises where timber buildings and sacred enclosures once stood. No stone curtain or towers are visible in the photograph; the silhouette is defined by the tree-topped earthworks against the sky and the open meadow in front.

Its story

The story of Charenza.

Charenza, also Karentia, Karenz or later Gharense, was a medieval Slavic burgwall on the island of Rügen in the Baltic, the administrative centre of the Rani tribe and of the Principality of Rugia. It appears in 12th- and early 13th-century sources as both an administrative and religious centre.

When the Danish king raised money to build twelve churches on Rügen, one was the capelle nostre in Charenz, which in 1232 was granted the village of Gagern as a fief; in 1234, when the Rugian prince Vitslav I granted Lübeck law to Stralsund, the document was signed at Charenza. The site was later identified with the earthworks near Venz, the Venzer Burgwall, which survive as grassy ramparts and ditches under tree cover.

Step inside

7 places to explore in 1168.

The record describes 7 distinct spots at Charenza, including 4 interiors: interior central enclosure, site of the temple of rugievit, site of the temple of porevit and more. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Exterior approach from the meadowOuter ditch and rampartTop of the rampart, looking into the enclosureInterior central enclosureSite of the Temple of RugievitSite of the Temple of PorevitSite of the Temple of Porenut

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Questions about Charenza

What is the history of Charenza?

Charenza was a medieval Slavic burgwall that served as the administrative and religious centre of the Rani and the Principality of Rugia. It was recorded in the 12th and early 13th centuries. In 1168, it surrendered to the Danish king after negotiations, and the temples were destroyed. The administrative centre later moved to Rugard.

What is inside Charenza and what can you see?

Inside Charenza is a broad, level central enclosure with gentle rises marking places where timber buildings and sacred enclosures once stood. The site had temples dedicated to Rugievit, Porevit and Porenut. The interior area covers about 25,000 m², and accounts describe closely packed three-storey wooden houses.

Why was Charenza built, and what was it used for?

Charenza was built as a fortified princely and religious centre for the Rani, and its secluded position made it suitable as a refuge. It contained temples to Rugievit, Porevit and Porenut as well as the administrative centre of the Rani tribe and the Principality of Rugia. Its later role changed after Danish conquest and Christianisation.

Is Charenza real, and where was it located?

The identification of Charenza is contested between the earthworks near Venz and the burgwall near Garz. Older research placed it at Garz, while newer studies identify it with the Venzer Burgwall near Venz. The place itself is documented in 12th- and early 13th-century sources, including records of its temples and political role.

Where is Charenza?

Charenza is near Venz on the island of Rügen, in the Western Pomerania-Rügen District. The proposed site is the Venzer Burgwall near Venz in the community of Trent. It lies near the Baltic, about 1,500 metres from the Neuendorfer Wiek, a side inlet of the Breetzer Bodden.

Was Charenza ever attacked or besieged?

Charenza fell to the Danes in 1168 after the capture of Arkona. King Valdemar I of Denmark and Archbishop Absalon took Arkona, after which Charenza surrendered a few days later following negotiations with the Rugian princes Tetzlav and Jaromar I. The temples were destroyed and the princes became Danish vassals.

What did Charenza look like in its prime?

In its prime, Charenza was a low, roughly circular earthen ringwork rather than a stone castle. A continuous raised bank and external ditch enclosed a broad meadow, with timber buildings and sacred enclosures on gentle rises. The tree-lined, grass-covered ramparts defined its silhouette; no stone curtain or towers are visible.

Is Charenza still standing, or is it a ruin?

Charenza survives as a partial ruin. The remains consist of grassy ramparts and ditches beneath tree cover, with an open meadow inside the enclosure. The surviving Venzer Wall is up to 10 metres high, while archaeological excavations have found some pottery sherds and bones in the interior.

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