Lisbon, 1st of November 1755, was a clear and sunny autumn day. Yet the crowded city suffered the ultimate nightmare combination of a crowded city, earthquake, wind, fire and a tsunami – and when tens of thousands were to die in a single day.
Portugal, then a Catholic, pious country. The city of Lisbon – a busy, bustling, wealthy trading capital, situated on the Western edge of Europe – had the greatest harbour on the Atlantic seaboard,
Lisbon – 31st of October 1755 – the night before All Saints Day, the city was packed with the pious and many market-traders, Gipsies, and entertainers – who had come into the city to celebrate the holy day.
And the harbour was full of trading ships and boats, loaded with spices and precious goods from the Old and New Worlds.
The Earthquake: 1st November 1755, All Saints Day – one of the most important days in the Christian calendar: the churches were full to overflowing for the early morning Mass, when the earthquake hit. Chaos broke out as the people fled for the lives.
The Fire: In the churches, hundreds of candles fell, setting the churches alight.
The Wind: Scores of fires broke out, which were fanned by high winds, causing fires to race through the city!
In panic, people rushed from the churches and their homes, into the streets – and many to the city’s harbour for protection!
The Tsunami: However, in the aftermath of the earthquake a tsunami soon followed – striking with a speed and power that took the population by surprise; drowning many of those who had fled to the waterfront for safety – some, even onto the rapidly emptying foreshore, unaware of the import of the receding tide.
This terrible, deadly combination of crowed city, devoted population and destructive shockwaves of nature marks the date of one of the greatest disasters in Europe in modern times – a date when many important ancient buildings were destroyed, and it is believed between 45,000 – 70000 people died in a single day.
And was a day which sparked a sea-change in cultural beliefs and attitudes within the church and society – leading to the Enlightenment, and changes which were to affect the nation and Europe to this very day.
Unearthing Egyptology - Talks on Egyptology 