A fun and detailed fact about Lazaret is that it has a rich historical background stretching many centuries. Originating from the word Lazarus (biblical figure who rose from the dead), Lazaret, also known as a lazarette or lazaretto, referred to a quarantine station for maritime travelers. The term was first used in Venice, Italy, in the early 15th century when these quarantine stations were established to protect coastal cities from plague epidemics. Perhaps the most famous lazaretto is the one on the Venetian island of Lazzaretto Vecchio, which served as a checking station and treatment center for incoming ships during the Black Death pandemic. It's interesting to note that lazarets were more than just hospitals; they also functioned as a place to isolate the diseased, a disinfection station, a place to repack goods, and sometimes even as a crematorium for the unlucky ones. Today, the term lazarette in nautical context refers to a special storage space below deck in vessels. Thus, the word 'Lazaret' uniquely ties together themes of health, history, trade and navigation!
