The 1755 Earthquake Of Lisbon
The earthquake that struck Lisbon in 1755 was one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in history. Here we will see just Why The 1755 Earthquake Of Lisbon Was Such A Big Deal.
The quake was so intense that it destroyed most of the buildings in the city, many of which had stood for centuries. The tremor was accompanied by a series of tsunamis, which battered the coastline and caused widespread deaths and destruction.
The impact of the disaster was felt beyond Portugal, as news of the event quickly spread across Europe and beyond. It sparked a philosophical debate about the nature of God, given the magnitude of the event, as well as discussions about what measures should be taken to prevent such disasters in the future.
Today, the earthquake serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being prepared for anything.
Why The 1755 Earthquake Of Lisbon Was Such A Big Deal
1. The Earthquake
It was the biggest earthquake ever recorded in Europe. Since it was such a long time ago, it is impossible to say exactly how big it was on the Richter scale. Based on everything they know, they put it at 8.5—possibly being as high as 9.1. Other words for near total destruction.
2. The Tsunamis
A series of tsunamis followed soon after. Tidal waves came up the river and washed over everything that was left of the earthquake. The largest of the waves came all the way up to the Rossio area.
3. The Fires
And then the fires that burned through the city for a week afterward. The fire was the worst part as there were no ways of controlling the firestorm that pursued back in 1755.
4. The Date
And all of this is on one of the most important dates in the catholic calendar, the day of all saints. 01 of November in 1755. At 09:40 in the morning to be precise, when almost the whole city would be in churches and where most of the deaths would occur.
5. The Damage
About 85% of all buildings and infrastructure were destroyed.
6. The Death Toll
About 40,000 people died. Roughly 20% of the population of Lisbon at the time.
7. Modern Seismology
It was the first earthquake in the world to be studied on a large scale and therefore was the birth of modern seismology.
8. Rebuilding Lisbon
The whole downtown part of Lisbon (Baixa) is post-1755. From a medieval labyrinth, the perfect grid layout.
9. Post-1755 Lisbon
The buildings in the Baixa were the first earthquake-resistant buildings ever created in the world. Known as the “gaiola Pomblina” or the “Pombaline cage”, after the marques of Pombal. They were created with wooden beams around them meaning they would rattle like a cage in the event of an earthquake and not crumble and fall.
10. The Brothels
A street in Bairro Alto where all the brothels were back then remained wonderfully intact. Huge humiliation for the catholic church, all of the religious buildings were in ruins, and up town the brothels were still standing strong.
11. The King at the Time
King Joseph 1st survived the earthquake as he had spent all saints day partying in his other residence in Belem with the other nobles and Lords of the time. But for the rest of his life, he became claustrophobic and lived in a tent complex and wooden palace structure in the hills behind Lisbon out of fear of another earthquake and the buildings falling in and crushing him, which is what happened to the people of medieval Lisbon.
12. His First Minister
The Marques of Pombal, the prime minister in 1755, was the guy who stepped forward, consolidated the power, eiminated all of the enemies, and ordered the reconstruction of Lisbon afterward with a completely different layout.
But don’t let that discourage you
Despite past seismic activity, Lisbon is now safer and has improved its infrastructure, making it a great place to visit. Chances of experiencing an earthquake are low, so don’t let that stop you from exploring Lisbon’s beauty, culture, cuisine, and hospitality. Plan your trip and have a great time!
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