Jaromarsburg
At Cape Arkona in recent centuries, sections of the cliff tops have continually collapsed into the sea, which is why the remnants of the Jaromarsburg today mainly comprise the castle ramparts.
Based on a loss of 10 to 20 metres per century, it is believed that the current area within the ramparts represents only a third of the original total.
As a result, for several years urgent archaeological excavations have taken place that have uncovered the site of the Svetovid temple, which had been thought for a long time had been lost to coastal collapse.
It is a rectangular area that was completely free of artifacts, but to find around which, however, articles were discovered that may have been offerings, including parts of broken weapons.
This is consistent with the historical account by Saxo Grammaticus, who states that the priests inside the temple were not even allowed to breathe within its confines, so as not to defile it.
Some researchers believed that Jomsburg was a wrong spelling of Jaromarsburg, while others disputed this theory as early as the 18th century or earlier.
Therefore, Šubert believes, that the name Jarkun etymologically derivates from *jarъ, *jȃrъ, as well as the words jarý/jarký/jarka (= fresh, fiery, ardent, furious, springtime, strong, springy, young, bright - also directly red).
In other Slavic countries can be found places named e.g. Jarkos (Serbia), Jarkovice (Czech Republic), Jarun lake (Croatia), Jarki, Jarków, Jarkouc, Jarka river and most importantly Jarkuszewo, later known as Arkuszewo (Poland).
Based on this information, Šubert came to the conclusion that Arkona was originally named Jarkun (or Jarkún, Jarkůn), meaning (fiery) red.
Interestingly enough, the name Jaromarsburg (Jaromar) has the same origin from *jarъ (with added german word burg = castle).
It is believed that settlements related to the temple were located on the sites where today the fishing villages of Vitt and Putgarten now stand.
The Rani dominated Rügen for some time and the temple increased in importance as a religious centre for the Slavs in the southern Baltic following the destruction of Rethra in 1068.
After a series of attacks, ambushes and partial victories, he landed at Arkona with his fleet on 19 May 1168, accompanied by his army commander and close friend, Bishop Absalon.
On 15 June 1168, the temple fortress was taken after four weeks of siege, when the attackers succeeded by day, in starting a fire at an unobserved point, which the defenders of the castle could not put out due to a shortage of water.
An important finding was that the written reports of the Saxos were correct and the space around the temple as a place of worship was empty.
Whether that was meant for the cult priests and their servants or as a refuge for the surrounding settlements as well as a craft store, could not be determined until today.
