A lazaretto is a specialized hospital for isolating lepers and plague victims. The term originates from Lazzaretto Vecchio, an island in the Venetian Lagoon that served as a quarantine facility from the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries. The word “Vecchio” means old, while “Lazzaretto” is derived from the Italian word for “leper,” which is “lazzaro.” This term can be traced back to Lazarus of Bethany, a biblical figure who later became known as the patron saint of lepers. “Lazarus” is an Ancient Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name El’azar, meaning “he whom God has helped.” The component “El” means “god” and originates from Proto-Semitic il, with a similar meaning. Additionally, “Azar” signifies “helped” and also has its roots in Proto-Semitic. The usage of the term “lazaretto” reached its peak in 1791 and saw a resurgence in interest in 2014 following the release of a musical album with the same title.
