Saint John of Acre

Saint John of Acre, called Acco or Ptolemaida from ancient times to the Middle Ages, is the name given by Christians to the city that will later become Acre.

History

Templar tunnel.

This city of Acco was conquered by Ptolemy II, ruler of Egypt who baptized it Ptolemaida, a name that it retained until the Latin conquest. It was taken by the Crusaders in 1104. It became the main port of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, through which all merchandise, mostly Genoese, transited. The order of Saint John of Jerusalem gave him the name of Saint John of Acre. It was occupied by Saladin and recaptured by the Knights of the Third Crusade in 1191. The recapture of the city in 1291 by Sultan Jalil put an end to the European presence in the Holy Land.