Glarentza
The medieval city of Glarentza ( Greek Γλαρέντζα ( f. Sg. )) In the far west of the Peloponnese was close to today's Greek port town of Kyllini . Also known in the Middle Ages under the names Clarence, Clarenza, Clarentza or Chiarenza, Glarentza was the economic and urban center of the Principality of Achaia .
location
The remains of the medieval town of Glarentza are less than a kilometer northwest of the Kyllini ferry port on the cape of the same name. The slightly elevated terrain at Cape Kyllini (Ακρωτήρι Κυλλήνης) slopes slightly to the north and east, and a low cliff limits the system to the sea in the west. There was a small fortress here. On the land side, the complex was surrounded by a wall with a moat. In the area known as Paleokastro (Παλαιόκαστρο 'Old Castle'), Glarentza covers an area of around 450 × 350 meters. The marshland that is now silted up in the northern adjacent area of Arsanas was the former harbor bay.
history
The city of Glarentza was founded in the 13th century by the Crusaders on the site of ancient Kyllene and remained the most important port of the Principality of Achaia and Morea until the 15th century . From here there was a lively trade with the Italian cities.
The city got its name from the Latin word "Clarentia", which means shine.
In the 13th century the city had the right to strike its own coins, which were a popular means of payment on the European financial markets. In the 14th century Glarentza was nicknamed "la Superbe" and was owned by the Neapolitan royal house of Anjou . As a stopover on the sea routes to the east, Glarentza was called by numerous Genoese and Venetian ships. Large European banks set up their offices here , including the famous Acciaioli.
Around 1428 the city was conquered by Theodoros II the despot of Morea and his brothers. Glarentza became Byzantine , but lost its importance to Mystras and fell into disrepair.
The title Duke of Clarence , the mostly younger prince in the English royal family - z. B. Lionel of Antwerp, 1st Duke of Clarence , third son of King Edward III. - was awarded, was derived from Glarentza.
Web links
Coordinates: 37 ° 56 ′ 26.7 ″ N , 21 ° 8 ′ 19.8 ″ E