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Lazaretto in Split

Split, a town settled inside the former residence of Roman emperor Diocletian, in the first half of the 17th century became the main point of trade exchange, between the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire. The trade brought a threat of deadly plague outbreaks and to protect from them and to prevent them, a specific kind of edifices were built ‐ Lazarettos or Quarantines that combined a quarantine with a trade exchange activity. One was constructed outside Split city walls, but in close proximity of the town, despite an opposition from citizens, who were afraid of plague epidemics, which accompanied the trade unconditionally. Spatial organization and appearance of Lazaretto followed the rules for that kind of facilities. It was strictly controlled and surveyed space, almost a prison like, with small towers at wall corners, consisting of several separate courtyards, surrounded by buildings. As it was the rule, the ground floor is where the warehouses were situated and the upper level was reserved for merchants' rooms. Since 1582 Lazaretto in Split was enlarged in several phases over the period of 40 years and in its biggest state it occupied the area that equalled nearly 1/5th of the whole city surface. Since the beginning of the War for Candia in 1645, the trade through Lazaretto was decreasing, although it was functioning until the 19th century. Lazaretto was damaged in the II World War and after the war its remains were completely demolished and removed. Venice had gained such a profit from the trade that took place in Lazaretto that decided to fortify Split with the contemporary baroque system of fortifications in the second half of the 17th century. This decision saved Split from the Turkish invasion and it may be freely concluded that the role of Lazaretto for Split was invaluable.

Lazaretto; Quarantine; Split; Venice; Ottoman Empire; Trade

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