Lazaretto of Malta

Abstract

Since the fourteenth century some European governments have attempted to prevent the introduction of plague and other epidemics by insisting on quarantine (from quaranta giorni or 40 days' seclusion), for persons from infected areas. Suspect goods normally would be destroyed or, if valuable, fumigated in various ways. An infected ship in 1523 gave rise to an outbreak of plague in Birgu. The town was circled by a quarantine barrier, and the ship itself and all its cargo were burned and destroyed. From early times the suitability of Marsamxett Harbour for the purpose of isolating ships was recognized. The little island in the middle of the Harbour being an ideal place for the segregation of contaminated cargo, passengers and crew. The beginning of the sixteenth century brought much activity into the harbours of Malta and, with it greater risk of the introduction of contagious diseases thus appropriate measures had to be taken for the protection of the population. It appears that ships arriving from the North African littoral were directed to anchorage at Marsamxett Harbour, where they had to remain isolated for a certain period for purification. Quarantine was then unknown and the period of isolation was referred to as a period of purification (purgazione). Health guards were also posted in harbours and bays and coves wherever vessels could be illegally berthed. [excerpt]