Magnitude 9! That’s how the 1755 earthquake was classified—the worst natural disaster in Lisbon’s history—followed by several aftershocks, fires, and multiple tsunamis that ultimately destroyed nearly the entire city.
The tragedy occurred around 9:40 a.m. on a Saturday, when countless people and families were heading to various churches to celebrate All Saints’ Day.
First came the tsunamis… and then the fires
The devastating earthquake was followed by several tsunamis, and for five days, the city burned almost to the ground, with the fire consuming many buildings in Lisbon.
It is estimated that on that day and the days that followed, approximately 60,000 people died, although some reports put the figure between 10,000 and 100,000, with about 85% of the city left in ruins.
"Almost" total destruction
As an important seaport, the 1755 earthquake shook all of Europe, since Lisbon was one of the oldest and most populous cities in the world.
The earthquake, the tsunamis, and the fires destroyed more than just homes. The Royal Palace, the opera house, the cathedral, and the libraries—which housed important maps and diaries, as well as magnificent works of art—were completely rendered unusable.
The city’s inhabitants, including King José I and his royal court, eventually retreated to parts of the city that were less affected by the disaster, ending up living in makeshift shacks, terror in their eyes, given what they had just witnessed—helpless, unable to do anything.
Lisbon, a city of looters and murderers
Shortly after the tragedy, recovery efforts began quickly, though here and there, attempts to return to normal were interrupted by thieves and looters, who saw this disaster as an opportunity to return to their former lives as criminals.
The city was now ruled by thieves and murderers, who plundered, stole, and murdered everything in their path.
The Return, by Marquês de Pombal
The Marquis of Pombal would be the figure who would give Lisbon a new face. A minister under King José I, the Marquis of Pombal was one of the key figures in the reconstruction of Lisbon, having rebuilt the city from the rubble with new and safer buildings.
A new era of architecture was beginning: Pombaline architecture, which you’re probably familiar with today through the Baixa Pombalina district.
The new structures implemented by the Marquis of Pombal are still considered today to be among the world’s first earthquake-resistant constructions: the famous Pombaline cage.
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