Dubrovnik's Lazarettos: Medieval Quarantine Meets Modern Art

Dubrovnik's Lazarettos

Let’s talk about Dubrovnik. No, not just about its Game of Thrones fame, but a part of its history that feels eerily relevant in our post-pandemic world. Imagine the year is 1377. Dubrovnik, already a bustling hub of trade and diplomacy, faces a familiar challenge: a pesky little thing called the Black Death. But instead of panicking, the folks of Dubrovnik pioneered a public health measure that would echo through the centuries: quarantine. Yes, the same quarantine that had us baking banana bread and binge-watching Netflix originated here.

A Sea of Trade and Trouble Dubrovnik's Lazarettos Medieval Quarantine

Well-preserved lazarettos outside the Old City of Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik in the 14th century was a powerhouse of commerce. Ships arrived laden with goods, stories, and, unfortunately, diseases. With leprosy already a problem and the Black Death lurking, the city needed a solution to keep trade afloat while keeping its citizens alive. The answer? Isolation stations.

In 1377, Dubrovnik’s government declared that any ship, crew, or cargo coming from plague-affected areas must first spend 30 days on nearby islands like Mrkan or Cavtat. Later, this was bumped up to 40 days (thanks, Italian word quaranta), giving us the term "quarantine."

Unlike leprosariums, which housed the already ill, this was preventative medicine at its best—a medieval innovation designed to halt the spread of disease before it even began. Talk about being ahead of their time!

From Huts to High Walls

The original views of Lazareti’s Eastern facade – an old painting (detail)

Early quarantines weren’t glamorous. Temporary huts served as holding areas, conveniently flammable to ensure easy disinfection. But as plague waves continued, Dubrovnik decided to step up its quarantine game. By the 16th century, the city constructed permanent Lazarettos in strategic locations: Danče, Lokrum, and finally, near the Ploče Gate.

The grand Lazareti complex, completed in 1647, was a marvel. Ten buildings with five courtyards provided space for merchants and their goods to wait out their quarantine period. Goods were aired out in warehouses, and travelers were monitored by a sanitary commission. These commissioners weren’t just clipboard-wielding bureaucrats—they managed everything from registering deaths to disinfecting belongings.

One legend says that during a particularly severe outbreak, the commissioners were so strict they even quarantined their own families if they’d been exposed. It wasn’t just about rules; it was about survival. Dubrovnik's Lazarettos: Medieval Quarantine Meets Modern Art

A Balancing Act

The people of Dubrovnik thus became the first in the world to introduce a quarantine system as a protective measure against infectious diseases

Life in quarantine wasn’t all bad—okay, it probably wasn’t great, but it wasn’t the end of the world either. Merchants could still trade their goods after the required airing out, and the economy kept chugging along, albeit at a slower pace. The duration of quarantine varied depending on the perceived threat, ranging from a quick week to the full 40 days.

Another fascinating piece of history? Dubrovnik’s Lazarettos weren’t just for sea travelers. They also served caravans coming from Ottoman lands, making them a critical checkpoint for both maritime and overland trade routes.

From Isolation to Inspiration

Fast forward to today. The Lazareti complex, after extensive restoration, has transformed into a vibrant cultural hub. Reopened in 2019, it now hosts art exhibitions, workshops, performances, and concerts. What once was a place of isolation is now a space for connection and creativity.

Walking through the Lazareti plateau today, it’s hard to imagine the fear and resilience that once filled these walls. But take a moment, and you can almost hear the whispers of history—the shuffle of quarantined travelers, the merchants shouting prices, the commissioners keeping watch.

A Global Perspective

Dubrovnik’s Lazaretto complex consists of lazarettos, courtyards and guardhouses (Credit: Ivan Vuković Vuka)

Dubrovnik’s Lazarettos weren’t the only ones making waves in quarantine history. Cities like Venice, Genoa, and Marseille also built similar structures to protect their populations. In fact, Venice's Lazaretto Vecchio, founded in 1423, is often cited as the first dedicated quarantine station in Europe.

Marseille’s Lazaret in France was another key player in quarantine history, with its vast facilities designed to handle the massive trade ships of the Mediterranean. Istanbul had its own "quarantine islands," where sailors and goods were inspected before entering the city.

Want to dive deeper? Check out this video on the top 10 famous Lazarettos around the world, including Dubrovnik’s! From the mysterious San Lazzaro degli Armeni in Venice to the striking Lazaretto in Malta, each one tells a unique story of resilience and innovation.

Dubrovnik's Legacy of Protection

The story of Dubrovnik’s Lazarettos isn’t just a tale of medieval ingenuity; it’s a reminder of how communities can rise to meet challenges with creativity and care. Whether you’re wandering through the cobblestone streets of the Old Town or exploring the restored Lazareti complex, you’re walking in the footsteps of a city that turned a crisis into an opportunity to thrive.

So next time someone mentions quarantine, you can smile and say, “Did you know Dubrovnik was doing it centuries ago? And they did it with style.”