Former leprosy of the Acarouany

Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The leprosy of the Acarouany, located in Mana, Guyana, was built in 1836 on the royal estate of the same name by the Reverend Mother Javouhey. This site is part of a broader history of leprosy management in Guyana, a disease introduced by European settlers and slaves from the 18th century. The first leproseries were installed at the Mother's Island in 1774 and the Salvation Islands in 1821, before the Acarouany became a place dedicated to isolation and the care of the sick.

Leprosy worked for more than a century before being transformed into a functional rehabilitation centre in 1974, marking an evolution in its medical and social use. The site, consisting of several buildings and their plated grounds, was classified as a historical monument by order of 20 December 1999. Today, it belongs to the Department of Guyana and remains an architectural and historical testimony of colonial health policies.

Available sources, including Wikipedia and Monumentum, highlight its heritage importance, while noting that its exact location remains approximate (estimated at 5/10). The site is protected for its buildings and history, although the practical information about its current visit or use is little detailed in the documents consulted.

External links