In two nautical miles off the northeastern coast of the island of Corfu is the small island of Lazzaretto formerly known as Aghios Dimitrios. The island has an area of ​​17, 5 acres (71 thousand sq. M) and is run by the Greek National Tourist Organization. This beautiful scenic island with lush vegetation has a very complicated history.

During the Venetian rule in the early 16th century, the island was built a monastery. In the same century the island was a leper colony was founded, because of which it got its name. All vehicles coming from other countries were sent here on a 40-day quarantine to prevent importation of terrible diseases in Corfu, such as the plague. But, despite all precautions, Corfu, however, did not escape a few outbreaks of this disease. As a quarantine station for the island was used with some interruptions until the 20th century.

During the period of French rule in Corfu Lazaretto he was captured Russian-Turkish fleet, which organized the military hospital here. In 1814, during the British rule after a brief reconstruction of the island was reopened leper colony. After the unification of Corfu and Greece in 1864, the island of Lazzaretto was used for its intended purpose only occasionally. During World War II, the Nazi occupiers used the island as a concentration camp, which contained, and then executed the Greek prisoners of war.

Up to the present day on the island of Lazzaretto preserved several buildings from different historical periods. Here you can see a dilapidated two-story building that served as headquarters for the Italian Army. Architectural interest is the small church of St. Demetrius.

Today the island Lazaretto declared a national monument in honor of partisans who died here during the Second World War.