Hôpital Caroline

A health facility on the Frioul islands

The origins of Hôpital Caroline

Le Frioul has a long history of health. From the 16th century, the natural cove of Pomègues was used as an official quarantine area for ships from abroad, to prevent the spread of disease. Around 1820, a terrible yellow fever epidemic ravaged Mediterranean ports. The French State decided to modernise its facilities. In addition to building a proper quarantine port, it ordered the construction of a hospital to accommodate the sick. 

Innovative architecture and reclusive life

Inaugurated in 1828, Hôpital Caroline is a perfect example of Neo-Classical style architecture. Its architecture was innovative. With four pavilions spread around an inner courtyard, everything was designed to isolate the infected residents from those in convalescence and from the staff. To avoid contact, a chapel was even built in the centre of the courtyard. Entirely glazed, it allowed patients to follow the service from behind the windows of their pavilion.

A windy hospital

Open to the winds on all sides, the patients' pavilion is reminiscent of 19th century hygienist thinking. At that time it was thought that the wind had curative properties, carrying away the infected miasmas. When you know how strong the wind can blow on the Frioul archipelago, you can imagine just how cold the patients must have been!

An eventful history

In the end, yellow fever never struck Marseille! The hospital nevertheless received patients, particularly after the transfer of patients from the Arenc lazaretto to Frioul in 1850. The army also requisitioned the premises to treat sick soldiers.

The hospital remained in service until 1941, when it became an ammunition depot for the German army. Bombed by the Allies in 1944, it was abandoned until its acquisition by the City of Marseille in the 1970s. It was listed as a historical monument by order of 5 August 1980.