Welcome to Assassin's Creed Wiki! Log in and join the community.

Acre: Difference between revisions

From the Assassin's Creed Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
← Older edit
VisualWikitext
imported>Vatsa1708
mNo edit summary
 
(154 intermediate revisions by 65 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Era|Chronicles|AC|ACBL|AC2|Good}}
{{Era|Locations|Good}}{{WP-REAL|Acre, Israel}}
{{WP-REAL|Acre, Israel}}
{{Apprentice Revamp|Assassinist|GuardDog}}
{{Location infobox
{{Location infobox
|name      = Acre
|image = acre-roofs-ingame.jpg
|image     = Acre.jpg
|state = {{Wiki|Israel}}<ref name="Wiki">{{WP|Acre, Israel}}</ref>
|imgdesc  = A view of the city of Acre.
|rulers = [[Roman Republic]] and [[Roman Empire|Empire]] {{c|1st century BCE – 395}}<br>[[Byzantine Empire]] {{c|395 – 638}}<br>[[Crusaders]] {{c|1104 – 1187/1191 – 1291}}<br>[[Ayyubid dynasty]] {{c|1187 – 1191}}<br>[[Mamluk Sultanate]] {{c|1291 – 1517}}<br>[[Ottoman Empire]] {{c|1517 – 1918}}<br>[[British Empire]] {{c|1918 – 1947}}
|state    = [[Kingdom]]
|factions = *Crusaders
|rulers    = [[Richard I of England|Richard I]]'s [[Crusaders]]
**[[Knights Templar]]
|factions = *[[Crusaders]]
**[[Knights Teutonic]]
**[[Templars]]
**[[Knights Hospitalier]]
**[[Knights Teutonic|Teutonics]]
**[[Knights Hospitalier|Hospitaliers]]
*[[Assassins]]
*[[Assassins]]
|founded  = Unknown
**[[Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins|Levantine Brotherhood]]
|date     = At least 16,000 BCE
|date = c. 3000 BCE<ref name="Wiki"/>
|flags     = Templar, Teutonic, Hospitaliers
|flags = Templar, Teutonic, Hospitaliers
|targets  = *[[Garnier de Naplouse]]
|landmark = [[Acre Citadel]]<br>[[Cathedral of the Holy Cross]]<br>[[Hospitalier Fortress]]<br>[[Maria of Jehoshafat Church]]<br>[[Saint John's Gate]]
*[[William of Montferrat]]
|coordinates = 32°55'40'N, 35°04'54"E<ref name="Wiki"/>
*[[Sibrand]]
}}
}}
'''Acre''' is a costal city located to the east of the Mediterranean Sea. It was featured in the [[Assassin's Creed (series)|''Assassin's Creed'' series]] as an accessible location.
'''Acre''' (Hebrew: עַכּוֹ; Akko; Arabic: عكّا, Akka) is a city located on the eastern coast of the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. It is situated in Western {{Wiki|Galilee}}, in the northern area of {{Wiki|Israel}}.


==History==
==History==
===The Crusades===
===Middle Ages===
On an unknown date, [[Al Mualim]] sent [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad|Altaïr]] to assassinate a businessman in Acre. While fighting the target, he tried to persuade Altaïr that Al Mualim was using him. Altaïr eventually was victorious and left Acre to return to Al Mualim.<ref name="ACP">''[[Assassin's Creed - Penny Arcade Webcomic]]''</ref>
In 1190, during the [[Third Crusade]], the [[Knights Templar]] led King [[Richard I of England]]'s [[Crusaders|Crusader]] armies to lay [[Siege of Acre|siege]] to the city, planning to [[poison]] its water supply and wipe out its inhabitants. The [[Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins|Levantine Assassin]] [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] was able to stop this plot by killing the Templar in charge of the operation.<ref name="ACAC">''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]'' – [[Flow of Poison]]</ref> The following year, however, the city fell to the besieging Crusaders. Acre then served as the capital of the remnants of the [[Kingdom of Jerusalem]] until the end of the Crusades.<ref name="AC">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>


===1190===
It was in this city that the [[Christianity|Christian]] Crusaders established a base of operations in order to stockpile weapons and troops. With this, they intended to march south towards [[Jaffa]]. From there, they planned to launch an all-out siege upon their true target, [[Jerusalem]], which they had come from [[Europe]] to reclaim in the name of their religious faith.<ref name="Assassination Talal">''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Assassination (Talal)]]</ref>


In the year 1190, the city was under siege by the [[Templars]], who planned to poison its water supply, and wipe out the city's entire population. Altaïr was able to stop this plot by killing the Templar commander in charge of the siege. Even though the city was saved from Templars this time, it was nevertheless eventually taken by them.<Ref name="ACAC">''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]''</ref>
[[File:AC1 Acre Citadel.png|thumb|250px|left|The Acre Citadel]]
The Templars, under the leadership of [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Grand Master]] [[Robert de Sablé]], took advantage of the Crusaders' march to Jaffa to claim Acre for themselves, as part of a wider plot to control the [[Levant|Holy Land]] and establish their [[New World Order]]. Due to its occupation by the Crusaders as opposed to the [[Saracens|Saracen]]-held Jerusalem and [[Damascus]], the city became the Templars' main stronghold in the Levant for a time, and the Order maintained an active presence in each of Acre's districts.<ref name="Assassination Garnier">''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Assassination (Garnier de Naplouse)]]</ref><ref name="Assassination William">''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Assassination (William of Montferrat)]]</ref><ref name="Assassination Sibrand">''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Assassination (Sibrand)]]</ref>


===1191===
While [[William of Montferrat]], whom King Richard had personally appointed as the city's regent, oversaw the Rich District from his [[Acre Citadel|citadel]],<ref name="Knowledge William">''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Knowledge (William of Montferrat)]]</ref> the [[Knights Hospitalier]]'s [[Grand Master of the Knights Hospitalier|Grand Master]] [[Garnier de Naplouse]] controlled the Poor District, where their [[Hospitalier Fortress|fortress]] and hospital was located,<ref name="Knowledge Garnier">''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Knowledge (Garnier de Naplouse)]]</ref> and the [[Knights Teutonic]]'s [[Grand Master of the Knights Teutonic|Grand Master]] [[Sibrand]] governed the Middle District, Acre's [[Acre harbor|docks]] area.<ref name="Knowledge Sibrand">''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Knowledge (Sibrand)]]</ref> Secretly, all three men received instructions from Robert to further the Templars' overarching goals; thus, William began conscripting Acre's [[Civilian|citizens]] and hoarding food to prepare the population for the Order's eventual takeover,<ref name="Knowledge William"/> while Garnier conducted experiments on patients in an attempt to replicate the powers of an [[Apple of Eden 2|Apple of Eden]],<ref name="Knowledge Garnier"/> and Sibrand blockaded the port with his fleet to prevent the European kingdoms from sending reinforcements.<ref name="Knowledge Sibrand"/>


In the year 1191, the city has been recently recaptured by the forces of [[Richard I of England|Richard the Lionheart]] from the [[Saracens|Saracen]] army, which formerly occupied it. The city would serve as the capital of the Kingdom of [[Jerusalem]] during this period.<ref name="AC"/>
However, the [[Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins|Levantine Assassins]] soon caught wind of the Templars' operations in Acre, and Altaïr, as part of his [[Hunt for the Nine|mission]] assigned by [[Al Mualim]], traveled to the city to [[Assassination|assassinate]] Garnier, William, and Sibrand. The local [[Assassin bureau]]'s overseeing [[Rafiq]], [[Jabal]], assisted Altaïr's efforts,<ref name="Assassination Garnier"/><ref name="Assassination William"/><ref name="Assassination Sibrand"/> as did an Assassin team that Al Mualim had covertly sent without telling Altaïr. Managing to stay hidden even from the [[Master Assassin]], the team weakened William's citadel defenses,<ref name="Illusory Words">''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]] – [[The Eagle's Shadow]]'' – [[Illusory Words]]</ref><ref name="With Arms Open">''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]] – [[The Eagle's Shadow]]'' – [[With Arms Open]]</ref><ref name="Deadly Game">''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]] – [[The Eagle's Shadow]]'' – [[Deadly Game]]</ref> and killed his bodyguard [[Isembart]] ahead of Altaïr's assassination of the Templar.<ref name="Fighting Fair">''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]'' – ''[[The Eagle's Shadow]]'' – [[Fighting Fair]]</ref>


It is in this city that the Christian Crusaders have established a base of operations, in order to stockpile weapons and troops. With this, they intend to march south towards Jaffa, and from there launch an all out siege upon their true target, Jerusalem, which they have come from Europe to reclaim in the name of their religious faith. <ref name="AC"/>
[[File:Altair Acre Ship.jpg|thumb|250px|The Templars departing Acre and sailing to Cyprus]]
Ultimately, Altaïr succeeded in eliminating his targets, though this did not completely eradicate the Templar presence in Acre.<ref name="Assassination Garnier"/><ref name="Assassination William"/><ref name="Assassination Sibrand"/> After Robert's death at Altaïr's hands during the [[Battle of Arsuf]] in September 1191,<ref name="Assassination Robert">''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Assassination II (Robert de Sablé)]]</ref> the remaining Templars in the Levant relocated to Acre, from where they planned to sail to [[Cyprus]] and continue their plans undisturbed. Altaïr, by now the Levantine Assassins' [[Mentor]], learned of their intentions and led an assault on their fortress in Acre, during which he captured [[Maria Thorpe]]. However, the Assassins were too late to prevent the Templar fleet from sailing to Cyprus.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]'' – [[Assault (Maria Thorpe)]]</ref>


In Acre there are more than just one set of flags; there are three: the [[Templar Flag]]s, the Knights [[Hospitalier Flag]]s, and the Knights [[Teutonic Flag]]s. Acre is a much more European city than the others, unlike Damascus or Jerusalem.<ref name="AC"/>
Years later, in 1197, Altaïr and Maria would return to Acre and its citadel, where they conceived their second son, [[Sef Ibn-La'Ahad|Sef]].<ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[21st century conversations#Assassin's Creed II|Modern day]]</ref>


====Poor District====
===Renaissance===
In 1511, the [[Italian Brotherhood of Assassins|Italian Assassins]]' [[Mentor]] [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] stayed in Acre while ''en route'' to [[Masyaf]]; there, the city's people warned him that the road to Masyaf was crawling with [[bandit]]s and "foreign [[Mercenary|mercenaries]]". Ezio assumed the worst, believing that this was [[Byzantine Rite of the Templar Order|another]] Templar [[Templar Rite|Rite]], and expressed his concern in a [[Ezio Auditore's letters|letter]] to his sister [[Claudia Auditore da Firenze|Claudia]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[The Hangman]]</ref> A year later, Ezio and [[Sofia Sartor]] stayed in Acre during their journey from [[Constantinople]] to Masyaf, where they sought to open [[Library of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad|Altaïr's library]].<ref name="ACR Novel">[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Revelations'' novel]]</ref>


Due to the recent siege, the Poor District is still recovering from the numerous people killed. <ref name="AC"/>
==Districts==
===Poor District===
[[File:AC1 Hospitalier Fortress+Flag.png|thumb|250px|The Hospitalier Fortress in the Poor District]]
In 1191, due to the recent siege, the Poor District was still recovering from the numerous casualties. Many dead bodies lay in the streets and alleys and around the main gate into Acre. The people also fought off disease, despair, oppression, corruption, and the memories of those lost, while the haunting stench of death filled the air. King Richard placed the entire district under the jurisdiction of the Knights Hospitalier, who governed from their fortress located at the north end of the district.<ref name="Knowledge Garnier"/>


In Acre's Middle District there is a large port, whose docks possess many troublemakers and drunken sailors. In the Chain District of Acre, there is the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, which conceals a Templar in the incomplete spire, and is the tallest point within the virtual world.<ref name="AC">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>
===Middle District===
[[File:AC1 Acre harbor.png|thumb|250px|Acre's harbor in the Middle District]]
The Middle District was more lively, in terms of both citizenry and military presence. This district was the location of Acre's docks, a large harbor area where both troublemakers and drunken sailors could be found. Richard gave control of the district to the Knights Teutonic, who fortified the entire area due to Sibrand's paranoia that the Assassins would come to take his life.<ref name="Knowledge Sibrand"/>


Dead bodies covered in blood line the streets and alleys and main gate into Acre. The people also fight off disease, despair, oppression, corruption, and the memories of those lost.
===Rich District===
 
[[File:AC1 Acre Citadel+Flag.png|thumb|250px|The Acre Citadel in the Rich District]]
The haunting stench of death constantly plagues the air. This entire district falls under the jurisdiction of the [[Knights Hospitalier]], given to them by King Richard, and they govern from their [[Hospitalier Fortress|fortress]] located at the north end of the district.<ref name="AC"/>
As King Richard fought [[Saladin]] and his Saracen forces, the duty of governing the entire city fell to the regent and liege-lord, William of Montferrat. The Rich District was the center of William's power, and because of this, it was the district that suffered the most under his rule. Much of the populace complained about their ill treatment, while others plotted his downfall.<ref name="Knowledge William"/>
 
====Middle District====
 
The Middle District is more lively, in terms of both citizens and military presence. The area is under the jurisdiction of the Knights Teutonic, given to them by King Richard. <ref name="AC"/>
 
The paranoid [[Sibrand]] keeps an extremely sharp, yet clouded eye (result of paranoia) over the district. Rumors have reached him that the Assassins have come to take his life, and this has driven him to fortify the entire area. He even goes to the extent once to kill a harmless scholar he accuses of being an Assassin.<ref name="AC"/>
 
====Rich District====
 
As King Richard the Lionheart fights [[Saladin]] and his Saracen forces, the duty of governing the entire city falls to the regent and liege-lord, [[William of Montferrat]]. The Chain District is where he holds his power, and it is the district suffering the most under his rule. Much of the population complains about their ill treatment, while others plot his downfall. It is these actions that draw the Assassins once more to the city.<ref name="AC"/>
 
Within the beautiful Rich District are notable landmarks such as King Richard's Citadel, within which is William's Quarters, a small fortress within a fortress. The citadel's interior contains mass numbers of guards and archers (more than any other place in the game besides Arsuf), and operates like a small town within itself.<ref name="AC"/>
 
After Altaïr discovered that the Templars were sailing to [[Cyprus]], he decided to take the fight to them. His first step was to infiltrate the Templar harbor fortress somewhere in Acre, where the Templar ships were preparing for the voyage. Altaïr, along with some fellow Assassins, successfully entered the fortress and killed all of the Templars. He intended to interrogate the fortress commander, who was revealed to be [[Maria Thorpe|Maria]]. He captured her and took her to Cyprus with him.<ref name="ACBL">''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]''</ref>
{{wide image|Acre_1_by_murcuseo-d3a8zsr.jpg|1000px|Acre during the Third Crusade}}
 
===Modern Times===
Due to the [[bleeding effect]], [[Desmond Miles|Desmond]] was able to accidentally access a [[genetic memory]] without the [[Animus]]. He had a "dream"-like vision, playing as a hallucination of Altaïr back in Acre, chasing Maria through William's fortress on the night their child was conceived.<ref name="ACII">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>
 
==Assassination Targets in Acre==
In Acre, Altaïr was ordered to assassinate the following people:
 
===1190===
*A [[Templars|Templar Captain]] in charge of the siege.
 
===1191===
*[[Garnier de Naplouse]], a corrupt surgeon and the tenth Grand Master of the Knights Hospitalier, who enjoys experimenting on his patients and removing himself from the world around him for his sadistic fantasies.
*[[William of Montferrat]], the regent of Acre who vigorously trains his soldiers in preparation for the "New World," and despite his position, retains a core hatred for King Richard.
*[[Sibrand]], Master of the Knights Teutonic who occupies the Port Area of Acre in a fearful attempt to escape the Assassins' rumored approach, his decisions are clouded by his paranoid judgement.


Within the beautiful Rich District were notable landmarks such as King Richard's citadel, of which a small keep within the fortress housed William's quarters. The citadel's interior contained numerous guards and archers and operated like an autonomous, small town within the city. Another landmark was the [[Cathedral of the Holy Cross]], the largest Crusader church in the city. The building itself concealed a Templar knight in the incomplete spire and also proved to be the tallest structure among the cities that Altaïr visited.<ref name="AC"/>


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
[[File:Viewpoint_in_Acre.jpg|thumb|250px|Altaïr at a View Point in Acre, in the Assassin's Creed Cinematic Trailer.]]
*The cinematic video shown at the start of ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' occurred in Acre. The city was also the location shown in most of the official pre-release ''Assassin's Creed'' trailers.
*The cinematic video shown at the start of ''Assassin's Creed'' occurs in Acre.
*Acre was drastically altered from the first few gameplay demos shown at E3 in 2006. The first version of Acre had a larger area outside the city walls and could be entered while on [[Horses|horseback]].<ref>{{Youtube|09rEmrMJhmU|First Assassin's Creed Demonstration at Microsoft's X06 (2006) HD|@randoarchive|Rando Archive}}</ref>
*Acre is also the location shown in most of the official pre-release ''Assassin's Creed'' trailers.
*Acre's climate was dramatically different from the other settlements, since it was next to the Mediterranean Sea, giving a misty and foggy effect to the streets.
*Acre was dramatically altered from the first few gameplay demo's shown at E3 in 2006. The first version of Acre had a larger area outside the city walls and could even be entered while on [[Horses|horseback]]. The reason for such a change is unknown.
*Historically, Acre was the last stronghold of the real-world Knights Templar, before the [[Mamluk Sultanate]] permanently expelled them from the Holy Land following the {{Wiki|Fall of Ruad}}.<ref>{{WP|Fall of Ruad}}</ref>
*Acre appears in ''Assassin's Creed: Altaïrs Chronicles'', ''Assassin's Creed'', ''Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines'' and ''Assassin's Creed II''.Making it the only city to appear in over three Assassin's Creed Games.
*Acre's climate is dramatically different from the other settlements, as it is next to the Mediterranean Sea, giving a misty and foggy effect to the streets.
*The tallest [[View Points|view point]] in ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' is the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, which is located in Acre.
 
==Map==
{|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" width="100%" border="1" style="text-align:center"
|-bgcolor="black"
|[[File:Acre Rich District.png|250px]]
|[[File:Acre Middle District.png|250px]]
|[[File:Acre Poor District.png|250px]]
|-
|Rich District
|Middle District
|Poor District
|}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="left">
<tabber>
Ac-acre-port1.jpg
|-|Concept art=
Ac-acre-vendor2.jpg
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" widths="180">
Ac-acre-vendor1.jpg
AC1 Acre Port - Concept Art.jpg|Concept art of Acre's port
Ac-jerusalem2.jpg
AC1 Acre Vendor - Concept Art 1.jpg|Concept art of a merchant stall in Acre
Ac-acre-market.jpg
AC1 Acre Vendor - Concept Art 2.jpg|Alternate concept art of a merchant stall
Ac-acre-knights-citadel.jpg
AC1 Acre Market - Concept Art.jpg|Concept art of Acre's market
Ac-acre-hospital.jpg
Ac-acre-knights-citadel.jpg|Concept art of the Acre Citadel
Ac-acre-church.jpg
Ac-acre-hospital.jpg|Concept art of a hospital in Acre
Ac-acre-chapel.jpg
Ac-acre-church.jpg|Concept art of a church in Acre
Ac-acre-cathedral.jpg
Ac-acre-chapel.jpg|Concept art of a mosque converted into a chapel
Ac-acre-alley.jpg
Ac-acre-cathedral.jpg|Concept art of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross
acre121.jpg
Ac-acre-alley.jpg|Concept art of Acre's streets
acre-roofs-ingame.jpg
</gallery>
c3cjq.jpg
|-|Screenshots=
3-acre.jpg
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" widths="180">
ACAltairOverAcre.jpg
Acre.jpg|Altaïr on a viewpoint in Acre
Map-crusades.jpg|Map showing the location of Acre
Acre-cathedral-cross.jpg|Acre viewed from atop the Cathedral of the Holy Cross
ACAltairOverAcre.jpg|Altaïr overlooking Acre
Acre121.jpg|Alternate view of Acre
altair-acre.jpg|Altaïr walking through Acre
Altair overlooks Acre - AC1.jpg|Altaïr overlooking Acre
AC1 Map Acre.png|A map of Acre
Flow of Poison.png|The Siege of Acre
</gallery>
</gallery>
</tabber>


==Appearances==
==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' {{fb}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' {{Mo}}
*[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Revelations'' novel]]
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]''
**''[[The Eagle's Shadow]]''
**''[[Echoes Through the Animus]]''
*''[[Echoes of History]]'' {{Mo}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Scroll box|content={{Reflist}}}}
 
{{AC}}
{{ACAC}}
{{ACAC}}
{{AC}}
{{ACBL}}
{{ACB}}
{{ACRebellion}}
{{ACII}}
<!--
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Locations]]
[de:Akkon]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles Locations]]
[es:Acre]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines Locations]]
[it:Acri]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Locations]]
[fr:Acre]
[[Category:Cities of Asia]]
[pt-br:Acre]
[ru:Акра]
[uk:Акра]
[zh:阿卡]
-->
[[Category:Acre| ]]
[[Category:Levant]]
[[Category:Mediterranean]]
[[Category:Capital cities]]
[[Category:Port cities]]

Latest revision as of 22:53, 10 May 2026

Acre (Hebrew: עַכּוֹ; Akko; Arabic: عكّا, Akka) is a city located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is situated in Western Galilee, in the northern area of Israel.

History[edit | edit source]

Middle Ages[edit | edit source]

In 1190, during the Third Crusade, the Knights Templar led King Richard I of England's Crusader armies to lay siege to the city, planning to poison its water supply and wipe out its inhabitants. The Levantine Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad was able to stop this plot by killing the Templar in charge of the operation.[2] The following year, however, the city fell to the besieging Crusaders. Acre then served as the capital of the remnants of the Kingdom of Jerusalem until the end of the Crusades.[3]

It was in this city that the Christian Crusaders established a base of operations in order to stockpile weapons and troops. With this, they intended to march south towards Jaffa. From there, they planned to launch an all-out siege upon their true target, Jerusalem, which they had come from Europe to reclaim in the name of their religious faith.[4]

The Acre Citadel

The Templars, under the leadership of Grand Master Robert de Sablé, took advantage of the Crusaders' march to Jaffa to claim Acre for themselves, as part of a wider plot to control the Holy Land and establish their New World Order. Due to its occupation by the Crusaders as opposed to the Saracen-held Jerusalem and Damascus, the city became the Templars' main stronghold in the Levant for a time, and the Order maintained an active presence in each of Acre's districts.[5][6][7]

While William of Montferrat, whom King Richard had personally appointed as the city's regent, oversaw the Rich District from his citadel,[8] the Knights Hospitalier's Grand Master Garnier de Naplouse controlled the Poor District, where their fortress and hospital was located,[9] and the Knights Teutonic's Grand Master Sibrand governed the Middle District, Acre's docks area.[10] Secretly, all three men received instructions from Robert to further the Templars' overarching goals; thus, William began conscripting Acre's citizens and hoarding food to prepare the population for the Order's eventual takeover,[8] while Garnier conducted experiments on patients in an attempt to replicate the powers of an Apple of Eden,[9] and Sibrand blockaded the port with his fleet to prevent the European kingdoms from sending reinforcements.[10]

However, the Levantine Assassins soon caught wind of the Templars' operations in Acre, and Altaïr, as part of his mission assigned by Al Mualim, traveled to the city to assassinate Garnier, William, and Sibrand. The local Assassin bureau's overseeing Rafiq, Jabal, assisted Altaïr's efforts,[5][6][7] as did an Assassin team that Al Mualim had covertly sent without telling Altaïr. Managing to stay hidden even from the Master Assassin, the team weakened William's citadel defenses,[11][12][13] and killed his bodyguard Isembart ahead of Altaïr's assassination of the Templar.[14]

The Templars departing Acre and sailing to Cyprus

Ultimately, Altaïr succeeded in eliminating his targets, though this did not completely eradicate the Templar presence in Acre.[5][6][7] After Robert's death at Altaïr's hands during the Battle of Arsuf in September 1191,[15] the remaining Templars in the Levant relocated to Acre, from where they planned to sail to Cyprus and continue their plans undisturbed. Altaïr, by now the Levantine Assassins' Mentor, learned of their intentions and led an assault on their fortress in Acre, during which he captured Maria Thorpe. However, the Assassins were too late to prevent the Templar fleet from sailing to Cyprus.[16]

Years later, in 1197, Altaïr and Maria would return to Acre and its citadel, where they conceived their second son, Sef.[17]

Renaissance[edit | edit source]

In 1511, the Italian Assassins' Mentor Ezio Auditore da Firenze stayed in Acre while en route to Masyaf; there, the city's people warned him that the road to Masyaf was crawling with bandits and "foreign mercenaries". Ezio assumed the worst, believing that this was another Templar Rite, and expressed his concern in a letter to his sister Claudia.[18] A year later, Ezio and Sofia Sartor stayed in Acre during their journey from Constantinople to Masyaf, where they sought to open Altaïr's library.[19]

Districts[edit | edit source]

Poor District[edit | edit source]

The Hospitalier Fortress in the Poor District

In 1191, due to the recent siege, the Poor District was still recovering from the numerous casualties. Many dead bodies lay in the streets and alleys and around the main gate into Acre. The people also fought off disease, despair, oppression, corruption, and the memories of those lost, while the haunting stench of death filled the air. King Richard placed the entire district under the jurisdiction of the Knights Hospitalier, who governed from their fortress located at the north end of the district.[9]

Middle District[edit | edit source]

Acre's harbor in the Middle District

The Middle District was more lively, in terms of both citizenry and military presence. This district was the location of Acre's docks, a large harbor area where both troublemakers and drunken sailors could be found. Richard gave control of the district to the Knights Teutonic, who fortified the entire area due to Sibrand's paranoia that the Assassins would come to take his life.[10]

Rich District[edit | edit source]

The Acre Citadel in the Rich District

As King Richard fought Saladin and his Saracen forces, the duty of governing the entire city fell to the regent and liege-lord, William of Montferrat. The Rich District was the center of William's power, and because of this, it was the district that suffered the most under his rule. Much of the populace complained about their ill treatment, while others plotted his downfall.[8]

Within the beautiful Rich District were notable landmarks such as King Richard's citadel, of which a small keep within the fortress housed William's quarters. The citadel's interior contained numerous guards and archers and operated like an autonomous, small town within the city. Another landmark was the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, the largest Crusader church in the city. The building itself concealed a Templar knight in the incomplete spire and also proved to be the tallest structure among the cities that Altaïr visited.[3]

Trivia[edit | edit source]

  • The cinematic video shown at the start of Assassin's Creed occurred in Acre. The city was also the location shown in most of the official pre-release Assassin's Creed trailers.
  • Acre was drastically altered from the first few gameplay demos shown at E3 in 2006. The first version of Acre had a larger area outside the city walls and could be entered while on horseback.[20]
  • Acre's climate was dramatically different from the other settlements, since it was next to the Mediterranean Sea, giving a misty and foggy effect to the streets.
  • Historically, Acre was the last stronghold of the real-world Knights Templar, before the Mamluk Sultanate permanently expelled them from the Holy Land following the Fall of Ruad.[21]

Gallery[edit | edit source]

  • Concept art of Acre's port
    Concept art of Acre's port
  • Concept art of a merchant stall in Acre
    Concept art of a merchant stall in Acre
  • Alternate concept art of a merchant stall
    Alternate concept art of a merchant stall
  • Concept art of Acre's market
    Concept art of Acre's market
  • Concept art of the Acre Citadel
    Concept art of the Acre Citadel
  • Concept art of a hospital in Acre
    Concept art of a hospital in Acre
  • Concept art of a church in Acre
    Concept art of a church in Acre
  • Concept art of a mosque converted into a chapel
    Concept art of a mosque converted into a chapel
  • Concept art of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross
    Concept art of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross
  • Concept art of Acre's streets
    Concept art of Acre's streets

  • Altaïr on a viewpoint in Acre
    Altaïr on a viewpoint in Acre
  • Acre viewed from atop the Cathedral of the Holy Cross
    Acre viewed from atop the Cathedral of the Holy Cross
  • Altaïr overlooking Acre
    Altaïr overlooking Acre
  • Alternate view of Acre
    Alternate view of Acre
  • Altaïr walking through Acre
    Altaïr walking through Acre
  • Altaïr overlooking Acre
    Altaïr overlooking Acre
  • A map of Acre
    A map of Acre
  • The Siege of Acre
    The Siege of Acre

Appearances[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Acre, Israel on Wikipedia
  2. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles – Flow of Poison
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Assassin's Creed
  4. ↑ Assassin's Creed – Assassination (Talal)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Assassin's Creed – Assassination (Garnier de Naplouse)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Assassin's Creed – Assassination (William of Montferrat)
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Assassin's Creed – Assassination (Sibrand)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Assassin's Creed – Knowledge (William of Montferrat)
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Assassin's Creed – Knowledge (Garnier de Naplouse)
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Assassin's Creed – Knowledge (Sibrand)
  11. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Rebellion – The Eagle's Shadow – Illusory Words
  12. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Rebellion – The Eagle's Shadow – With Arms Open
  13. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Rebellion – The Eagle's Shadow – Deadly Game
  14. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Rebellion – The Eagle's Shadow – Fighting Fair
  15. ↑ Assassin's Creed – Assassination II (Robert de Sablé)
  16. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines – Assault (Maria Thorpe)
  17. ↑ Assassin's Creed II – Modern day
  18. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Revelations – The Hangman
  19. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Revelations novel
  20. ↑ First Assassin's Creed Demonstration at Microsoft's X06 (2006) HD on the Rando Archive YouTube channel
  21. ↑ Fall of Ruad on Wikipedia

Characters
Factions
Locations
Events
Terms and concepts
Weapons and tools

Characters
Factions
Locations
Events
Terms and concepts
Weapons and tools

Characters
Assassins
Templars
Cypriot Resistance
Others
Factions
Locations
Terms and concepts
Weapons and tools

Characters
Assassins
Legendary
Epic
Rare
Common
Templars
Others
Legendary
Epic
Rare
Common
Factions
Locations
Events
Terms and concepts
Helix Rift Events
Campaigns
Retrieved from ‘https://assassinscreedwiki.accesstheanimus.com/index.php?title=Acre&oldid=1122457’