“Ars Moriendi”

The Art of Dying
In The Plague Times

This Dubrovnik tour tells somewhat different tale than the usual tours do, so be prepared for some interesting, and dispiteous, history facts. For more than a millennium plague was a constant in Europe and in Dubrovnik as well. “God’s rage” killed more city residents than any other disaster, and forced a small community to find a way to deal and live with it. As a result, Dubrovnik became the forerunner and model for all public health services in Europe.

A contagious disease, as old as humankind, was the main cause of dying in Dubrovnik in the past. Without a knowledge how it starts and what causes it, plague was considered God’s punishment for sinners. 

People prayed for the saints to protect them, alchemists made special remedies so that people became resistant. They built churches, flogged themselves in public, all to please God not to send the disease. It was all fruitless, the disease was returning regularly, every few years.

Collegium Ragusinum crest/central balustrade atop the Jesuit’s stairs
Detail of a mourning sculpture/Cemetery Boninovo

RECOMMENDATION / This tour can be extended with a walk on the city walls, cable car ride or visit to Lokrum Island.

“Incredibly knowledgeable, funny, interesting woman! She can customize the tour based on your interests and speaks excellent English. Highly recommend – our group loved her!”

Jodi Koskella, Viator tour guides

“We HIGHLY recommend taking a “Walk with Vesna”. Our four hour tour of Dubrovnik Old Town was informative and fun– much like walking with an old friend, sharing stories and insights.”

Tim and JoAnne, Facebook

“She has a great sense of humor and provided us with some valuable information in advance of and during our tour about getting around Dubrovnik, restaurants, and money saving tips we were able to use during our stay. Our time with her was a highlight of our trip. ”

Joe Selewicz, Facebook

DURATION / 2 hours (basic tour)

PRICE /  on request

MEETING POINT /  Pile gate (in front of the stone bridge that leads into the City Walls), or your preferred location. You will see a sign with your name on it.

START TIME /  on demand

LANGUAGE /  English

GROUP SIZE /  max. 8 people

Lazareti – The Maritime
Sanitary Monument

The urge to live with its presence shaped a wide range of health measures to protect citizens as much as possible. Already in 1377 Dubrovnik government introduced an isolation as a preventive measure for all visitors arriving from infected areas. Over centuries, very strict sanitary measures evolved: from the blockade of the infected city, the isolation of contagious and sick, the incineration of infected houses, to prosecutions for those who violated sanitary measures. 

During this Dubrovnik tour you will hear the story about the art of the dying, and you will see that the plagues still lives in the city’s memory; in ancient churches, old habits and local dialect. However, the most impressive reminder of it is Lazareti – the last quarantine station erected in front of the eastern city gate in the 17th century. It is a place where numerous domestic and foreign merchants were forced to stay on arrival, sometimes up to 80 days, along with their goods. The small, isolated world of people of different nationalities, religions, social status, who were closed here, all with the same goal and desire: to stay healthy and finally leave the lazaretto.

“Ars Moriendi”

DURATION / 2 hours (basic tour)

PRICE /  on request

MEETING POINT /  Pile gate (in front of the stone bridge that leads into the City Walls), or your preferred location. You will see a sign with your name on it.

START TIME /  on demand

LANGUAGE /  English

GROUP SIZE /  max. 8 people

RECOMMENDATION / This tour can be extended with a walk on the city walls, cable car ride or visit to Lokrum Island.

The Art of Dying In The Plague Times

This Dubrovnik tour tells somewhat different tale than the usual tours do, so be prepared for some interesting, and dispiteous, history facts. For more than a millennium plague was a constant in Europe and in Dubrovnik as well. “God’s rage” killed more city residents than any other disaster, and forced a small community to find a way to deal and live with it. As a result, Dubrovnik became the forerunner and model for all public health services in Europe.

Fuge Cito, Longe et Tarde Revertere!
(Run Fast, Far Away and Be Back As Late As Possible)

A contagious disease, as old as humankind, was the main cause of dying in Dubrovnik in the past. Without a knowledge how it starts and what causes it, plague was considered God’s punishment for sinners.

People prayed for the saints to protect them, alchemists made special remedies so that people became resistant. They built churches, flogged themselves in public, all to please God not to send the disease. It was all fruitless, the disease was returning regularly, every few years.

Detail of a mourning sculpture/Cemetery Boninovo

Lazareti – The Maritime Sanitary Monument

The urge to live with its presence shaped a wide range of health measures to protect citizens as much as possible. Already in 1377 Dubrovnik government introduced an isolation as a preventive measure for all visitors arriving from infected areas. Over centuries, very strict sanitary measures evolved: from the blockade of the infected city, the isolation of contagious and sick, the incineration of infected houses, to prosecutions for those who violated sanitary measures.

During this Dubrovnik tour you will hear the story about the art of the dying, and you will see that the plagues still lives in the city’s memory; in ancient churches, old habits and local dialect. However, the most impressive reminder of it is Lazareti – the last quarantine station erected in front of the eastern city gate in the 17th century. It is a place where numerous domestic and foreign merchants were forced to stay on arrival, sometimes up to 80 days, along with their goods. The small, isolated world of people of different nationalities, religions, social status, who were closed here, all with the same goal and desire: to stay healthy and finally leave the lazaretto.

“Incredibly knowledgeable, funny, interesting woman! She can customize the tour based on your interests and speaks excellent English. Highly recommend – our group loved her!”
Jodi Koskella, Viator tour guides

“We HIGHLY recommend taking a “Walk with Vesna”. Our four hour tour of Dubrovnik Old Town was informative and fun– much like walking with an old friend, sharing stories and insights.”

Tim and JoAnne, Facebook

“She has a great sense of humor and provided us with some valuable information in advance of and during our tour about getting around Dubrovnik, restaurants, and money saving tips we were able to use during our stay. Our time with her was a highlight of our trip. ”

Joe Selewicz, Facebook

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