Lazareti
A series of interconnected medieval buildings located just outside the Ploče Gate, these were the original quarantine stations where traders had to spend 40 days (quaranta giorni in Italian, hence the word "quarantine") before they could enter Dubrovnik to ensure they didn't bring any diseases with them. Because the Republic was involved in so much trade with other countries, they were always at risk of catching serious diseases, such as the plague or cholera, which were killing thousands of people across Europe and Asia at the time. In 1377, the first quarantine stations were built on remote Dalmatian islands (first fully outdoors, then in small wooden stations so they could be burned easily if disease was detected). In 1647, construction was completed on the lazarettos, which were strategically located on the road that led to Dubrovnik from the south and right next to the main port. The quarantine requirement was finally abolished in 1872. Lazareti is now a sleepy area that's home to a couple of restaurants, art galleries, and shops.
