Charenza

Charenza, also sometimes spelled Karenza, is a settlement in the former region of Rugia (Rügen), specifically associated with the Rani, a West Slavic tribe. Located on the peninsula of Wittow, in what is now northern Germany, it was an important political and religious center for the Rani prior to their subjugation in the 12th century.

Historically, Charenza was significant as a fort and settlement that resisted Danish expansion and Christianization. The site housed one of the primary temples of the Rani, dedicated to their god Svantevit. The temple's destruction by the Danish King Valdemar I in 1168 marked a turning point in the history of the Rani and the Christianization of the region. After the destruction of the temple and subsequent conversion of the population, Charenza's political and religious significance diminished. The name Charenza itself gradually fell out of common usage, although historical accounts and archaeological evidence confirm its existence and importance. The precise location is debated by historians and archaeologists, but is generally believed to be near the modern-day village of Venzer Burgwall.