Could you imagine being confined here for 40 days? This is the Lazaretto of Dubrovnik. It stands just outside the city walls. The Lazaretto was once a quarantine station. It protected the Republic of Ragusa from infectious diseases.
Dubrovnik was proactive in public health. In 1377, they introduced quarantine. This was to prevent epidemics. The first quarantine locations were islands. These were Mrkan, Bobara, and Supetar.
By the 15th century, the facilities moved closer to Dubrovnik. The Ottoman Empire threatened to use the islands as a base. Construction of the Lazaretto in Ploče began in 1590. It finished in 1642. This complex includes ten multi-story buildings. They are connected by five courtyards.
Merchants, sailors, and their goods stayed here. They were observed for signs of disease. The stay lasted up to 40 days. This quarantine system was among the first in the world. It aimed to stop the spread of illnesses like the plague. Dubrovnik people called the plague pestiferous diseases. Trade boomed at that time. Caravans arrived from Turkey bringing goods. The Dubrovnik government made a crucial decision. Travelers from contaminated areas had to undergo isolation. They could not enter the city without it.
The Lazaretto became a major transit center. In the 17th century, it was the largest in the Adriatic. It was also one of the best organized in the Mediterranean. Strict rules were enforced. Penalties for non-compliance were severe. Commoners faced fines or imprisonment.
Each courtyard in the Lazaretto had a sea-facing door. This was used to unload goods from ships. Covered porches stored goods. Staircases led to a shared upper courtyard. Small residential buildings housed those in quarantine. Tenants also guarded the stored goods.
The Lazaretto suppressed epidemics significantly. The last major outbreak was in 1815-16. After the Republic fell in 1808, the Lazaretto changed purpose. It quarantined merchants from the inner Balkans. Later, it served military purposes. Fires damaged it in the late 19th century and after World War I. Renovations followed. The arcades in the courtyards and sea gates were bricked up.
Today, the Lazaretto serves new roles. It is a venue for recreation, trade, and entertainment. The ancient stones now host gala dinners, and clubbing events. The Lazaretto stands as a testament to Dubrovnik’s history. It highlights the city’s early commitment to public health. Its walls echo with stories of disease, trade, and resilience.