Could a seemingly ordinary street hold echoes of extraordinary events? The Traverse de la Serre in Marseille is more than just a route on a map. It is a silent witness to the city’s tumultuous past.
The Traverse de la Serre, a modern street in Marseille. It offers a direct route through a vibrant area. But beneath the surface lies a history marked by both tragedy and resilience.
Imagine Marseille in 1720. The Great Plague has arrived, brought by the ship Grand-Saint-Antoine. Fear grips the city. Death lurks around every corner. The Traverse de la Serre, though not yet named, would have felt the impact of this devastating epidemic.
Michel Serre, a painter and eyewitness to the plague, captured the horrors in his art. His paintings depict bodies piled in the streets. They reveal the desperation and suffering of the time. Serre himself was a commissioner for the Saint-Ferriol district. He organized the clearing of bodies. He provided for convicts tasked with the grim work.
The plague claimed over 50,000 lives in Marseille. It left an indelible mark on the city’s landscape and psyche. The Traverse de la Serre would have been a path of sorrow. It was a route for those seeking escape or carrying the dead.
The city established a sanitation board. It implemented a quarantine system to control the spread of disease. But these measures were not enough to prevent the catastrophe. Powerful merchants pressured authorities to lift the quarantine. They prioritized trade over public health. This decision had disastrous consequences.
Even after the plague subsided, Marseille remembered. The Lazaret d’Arenc was built to strengthen the port’s defenses. A wall was erected across the countryside to separate Marseille from the rest of Provence.
Today, as you walk along the Traverse de la Serre, consider its hidden history. Think of the lives lost and the city’s struggle to overcome adversity. The street is a reminder of Marseille’s strength. It’s a testament to its ability to rebuild and endure. The Traverse de la Serre is a pathway through time. It connects us to the stories of those who came before.