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Health Risks Associated with Medieval Urban Living – Examples from Croatia

Medieval towns and cities were small by modern standards. High population density and poor hygiene created serious health issues. For example, the contents of chamber pots were habitually emptied into the streets leading to polluted springs and wells. Those used to a rural way of life could expect little improvement in the standard of living in an urban environment. Typically, the medieval environment was a toxic mixture of filth, noise, and rats, with streets filled with sewage and rubbish. This made urban environments a breeding ground for diseases of every kind. High concentrations of parasites and frequent epidemic outbursts of disease in urban settings affected mortality more profoundly than in rural areas. Additionally, in urban settings, certain foods were difficult to obtain and impossible to store, leading to a significant absence of fruits and vegetables, and consequently elevated frequencies of illnesses associated with vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition.

medieval urban environment, health, infectious disease, metabolic disease

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