Lazaretto, Historic quarantine station in Maó harbor, Spain
The Lazaretto is a complex with multiple neoclassical buildings located on a small island in Maó harbor. High walls and watchtowers surround the site, which functioned as an isolated medical facility for processing arriving ships and crews.
Built in 1829, this facility served as a medical checkpoint where ships and crews underwent quarantine to prevent disease spread across Mediterranean ports. It was part of a network of harbor stations designed to protect port cities from epidemics.
The chapel served as a spiritual refuge for isolated people, showing how faith and medical care were linked during quarantine. Visitors can see how the space reflects the belief that prayer and healing belonged together.
Access requires a boat trip from Maó, with guided tours explaining how different buildings functioned within the quarantine system. Wear sturdy shoes as the site has uneven ground and can be exposed to wind.
The site maintains its original layout with separate zones for healthy, suspected, and infected individuals. This spatial separation demonstrates an early understanding of infection control that predates modern medical isolation practices.
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