At the heart of the pier designed by Carlo Vanvitelli—who gave the place its name, though it is more commonly known as Il Lazaretto—stands a pentagon-shaped structure. It was originally intended to serve as a warehouse for goods arriving by sea and as an initial holding facility for foreigners entering the city. The building stands on an artificial island, which initially had no connection to the mainland until a bridge was built in 1800. In the inner courtyard stands a structure reminiscent of a classical temple, with a kind of well inside that once provided water for the “little city” that the building itself represented. Today, the site is used for events and exhibitions. It’s worth viewing the Lazaretto from the Casanova viewpoint, which offers an impressive and comprehensive view of both the sea and the structure.