At the very entrance to the Bay of Kotor, where the mountains almost touch the sea, stand stone witnesses of a forgotten era. Five massive warehouses, built from the same white stone as the Dubrovnik walls, guarded the most precious commodity of the Venetian Republic for centuries – raw silk and the silkworms that produced it.
Today, most visitors simply pass them by on their way to Kotor or Perast. But these very places hide one of the most fascinating stories of trade, disease, and global economy that shaped the entire Adriatic.
Why Did Silkworms Need Quarantine?
To understand these structures, you must go back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Silk was then worth almost as much as gold. The Venetian Republic controlled trade between East and West, and silkworms – actually caterpillars of the silk moth – traveled thousands of kilometers from China and Persia.
The problem? Silkworms were often infected with pebrine disease, which could destroy entire silk industries. A single infected shipment could mean economic disaster for a region.
The Venetians therefore devised an ingenious system: every shipment of silkworms and raw silk had to spend 40 days in isolation – hence the word quarantine, from the Italian quaranta giorni. The Bay of Kotor, as a natural harbor protected from storms and in a strategic position, became the perfect location for these lazarettos.
Five Stone Warehouses: A Guide to the Locations
1. The Lazaretto in Meljine
The largest and best-preserved of all five warehouses is located in Meljine, a small town between Herceg Novi and Zelenika. The building of impressive dimensions – almost 60 meters long – now serves as storage for a local shipyard, but from the outside it is almost untouched.
Practical tip: You can view it from the outside at any time of day. The best photographs are taken in the late afternoon when the sun illuminates the façade. Parking is free along the road.
2. The Lazaretto in Đenovići
A somewhat smaller but architecturally more interesting warehouse stands right on the shore in Đenovići. The characteristic Venetian windows with semicircular arches and stone coats of arms on the façade reveal the wealth of former owners.
Local fishermen now tie their boats to its walls – a scene that perfectly blends past and present.
3. Remains of the Lazaretto in Bijela
In the town of Bijela, known for its shipyard, the foundations and part of the walls of the third warehouse are preserved. Although less spectacular than the previous two, it is worth visiting because it is near the excellent tavern Stari Mlini, where you can taste local specialties such as black risotto and fresh fish.
4. Stone Foundations in Kostanjica
In peaceful Kostanjica, a village known for olive cultivation, the foundations of the fourth lazaretto are visible. Here silk awaited its transport to Venice, and local legend says the walls were riddled with tiny holes for ventilation – the silkworms needed air to survive quarantine.
5. Ruins Above Risan
The last, fifth warehouse is located on a hill above Risan, the oldest settlement in the Bay. A trail of about fifteen minutes' walk leads to it, and the reward is a spectacular view of the entire bay. The walls are mostly collapsed, but the floor plan is clearly visible.
Best Time to Explore
The silk warehouses are interesting at any time of year, but each season offers a different experience.
Spring (April–May) is ideal for photographers. The Bay is green then, there are few tourists, and temperatures are pleasant for hiking to more remote locations like the one above Risan.
Summer brings traffic on the roads, but you can combine visiting the lazarettos with swimming at nearby beaches. Žanjice Beach, about twenty minutes' drive from Meljine, is one of the most beautiful on the entire Adriatic.
Autumn (September–October) is considered by many to be the best period. The sea is still warm, accommodation prices drop, and local restaurants offer freshly caught fish and young olives.
Winter reveals the Bay as tourists rarely see it – peaceful, authentic, with local life unfolding without an audience.
Where to Stay During Your Exploration
For serious exploration of all five locations, we recommend accommodation in Herceg Novi or the surrounding area. The town has excellent infrastructure, and all sites are accessible within half an hour's drive.
Apartments in the old town core offer an authentic experience – narrow streets, stone houses, and views of the bay. For families with children, newer accommodations in Igalo or Meljine are more practical, with parking and beach access.
If you prefer to be closer to nature, the area around Risan offers quieter options with olive groves and gardens. From there you can combine visiting the lazarettos with exploring the Roman mosaics in Risan itself.
A Story Tourists Rarely Hear
What makes these buildings special is not just their architecture, but the story of global trade that existed centuries before our time.
Silkworms traveled by ships from distant ports, then waited in quarantine while Venetian doctors checked whether they were healthy. Only after forty days were they allowed to continue their journey to silk mills in Italy and France, where their threads became dresses for European aristocracy.
Those same ships also carried news, books, spices – an entire culture that shaped the Renaissance. The Bay of Kotor was a transit point, but not an insignificant one. Each warehouse was a link in the chain that connected civilizations.
Practical Information for Visitors
- Entrance fee: All lazarettos are freely accessible from the outside. Entry to the interior is currently not possible as they are privately owned or serve other purposes.
- Duration of visit: Allow half a day for all locations if you want to photograph and enjoy the atmosphere.
- Transportation: A car is almost essential. Public transport exists but is infrequent and impractical for this route.
- Refreshments: Bring water and a light snack. Restaurants exist in larger towns but not at every location.
Why Visit the Abandoned Lazarettos?
In an age when popular destinations are overcrowded, these forgotten warehouses offer something rare – silence, history, and a sense of discovery. You won't find souvenir shops or organized tours here. Just stone, sea, and stories waiting for someone to tell them.
And when you tire of exploring, the Bay offers everything you expect from the Adriatic – crystal-clear sea, excellent food, and a bay that UNESCO has declared one of the most beautiful in the world.
The silkworms have long since disappeared, but their quarantine still stands. And waits for you to discover it.