Prostitution in Late Medieval Dubrovnik: Legislation, Practice and Prosecution

Late medieval Dubrovnik provides a unique lens to examine the complex interplay between societal norms and regulated vice. Research reveals that despite official disapproval, prostitution thrived within the city's official brothel, serving as a key part of its social fabric. This study uncovers conflicting attitudes toward prostitution, from legislative oversight to public perception, offering insights into how medieval societies managed morally contentious practices. By analyzing legislation, practice, and prosecution records, the research demonstrates that even in pre-modern urban centers like Dubrovnik, prostitution was an accepted yet tightly controlled aspect of life, reflecting broader patterns across the Old World.

Ravančić, G. (2019). Prostitution in Late Medieval Dubrovnik: Legislation, Practice and Prosecution. Same Bodies, Different Women: ‘Other’ Women in the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period, 97–114. https://doi.org/10.22618/tp.haa.20192.223.006