The Day of Judgment in Lisbon: November 1, 1755
In Lisbon, on the morning of Saturday, November 1, 1755, the air was filled with the scent of incense and candles. Thousands of city residents filled the churches to celebrate the Day of All Saints, one of the most important celebrations in the Catholic calendar. However, at exactly 09:40, the earth began to tremble with a force never before witnessed. The earthquake that struck the Iberian Peninsula and Northwest Africa was not just a regular tremor; it was a mega-earthquake centered in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 200 kilometers southwest of Cape St. Vincent, Algarve. Modern seismologists estimate its magnitude at 7.7 or higher, making it one of the strongest earthquakes ever to hit Europe.
Within three minutes, the prosperous Lisbon turned into a pile of ruins. Churches filled with congregations collapsed, burying thousands of people who were praying. The royal palace, libraries, and sturdy stone buildings crumbled like cards. Streets cracked and opened, swallowing victims. The city, which was the center of the Portuguese Empire, a hub of spice trade, gold, and slaves, and a center for the spread of Christianity, was destroyed in an instant.
Waves of Death and Devastating Fire
However, the earthquake was only the first act. About 40 minutes after the initial tremors, the sea receded suddenly, revealing the muddy seabed and the wreckage of sunken ships. The surviving residents of Lisbon, who ran to the harbor hoping for safety, did not realize they were witnessing a sign of a more devastating disaster. Soon after, a tsunami of 20 meters hit the coast of Lisbon and surrounding areas, sweeping away everything remaining in the mouth of the Tagus River. These large waves also hit the southern coast of Portugal and Maghribi, taking the lives of thousands of victims.
Fire was the third and most destructive act. Fires started from collapsed kitchens and overturned candles in houses and churches. The strong November winds helped the fire spread quickly. Uncontrolled fires burned for five days, destroying much of central Lisbon, including the palace, the royal library that housed thousands of valuable manuscripts, and the national archives. Many historical documents, maps, and records of Portuguese explorers were lost in the flames. It is estimated that 85 percent of buildings in Lisbon were destroyed, and between 30,000 and 40,000 people were killed in the city alone. The death toll in Maghribi, especially in the cities of Meknes and Fez, may have reached 10,000.
Hidden Figure: The Marquis de Pombal and the Birth of Seismology
Amidst the chaos and destruction, a figure emerged as a savior and architect of the new Lisbon: Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, later known as the Marquis de Pombal. He was the Prime Minister to King José I. While the king and the palace panicked, Pombal remained calm and acted swiftly. His famous words, "The dead are buried, the sick are treated, and the living are fed," became the motto of recovery.
Pombal directed the distribution of food and shelter, and most importantly, he launched the first scientific investigation into the earthquake. He sent questionnaires throughout the countryside of Portugal, asking local priests about the direction and strength of the tremors, the time of occurrence, and other effects. This questionnaire allowed Pombal to collect systematic data, which was later used by modern scientists to determine the epicenter of the earthquake. This action made the 1755 Lisbon earthquake the first earthquake to be studied scientifically, marking the birth of modern seismology. He also redesigned the city of Lisbon with wider streets, earthquake-resistant buildings, and a drainage system, making it a safer and more modern city.
Political Shock and the Empire
The earthquake not only destroyed the city but also shook the stability of the Portuguese Empire. The destruction of the administrative and commercial center caused an economic crisis. Wealth obtained from Brazilian colonies, especially gold and diamonds, could no longer be managed smoothly. This situation worsened the political tensions between conservative nobles and reformists like Pombal. Pombal used this opportunity to strengthen the king's power and implement harsh reforms, including reducing the influence of the Church and the old nobility. This caused deep dissatisfaction, but it also allowed modern Portugal to emerge from the ruins.
Philosophy and Theology: Why Did God Allow Evil?
The 1755 Lisbon earthquake became a turning point in European philosophical and theological thought. Before this disaster, many European thinkers, especially those supporting Theodicy (justification of God's allowance of evil in the world), believed that this world was the best possible world created by a benevolent God. However, how could a loving and all-powerful God allow tens of thousands of innocent people to die in such a devastating disaster, especially on a religious holiday?
Voltaire, the French philosopher, openly criticized Leibniz's optimistic views in his poem "Poème sur le désastre de Lisbonne" and later in his novel "Candide." Voltaire used the Lisbon earthquake to question the concept of divine providence and called for humans to act rationally to improve the world, rather than relying solely on fate. Immanuel Kant, who was still young at the time, wrote an essay on the earthquake, which later influenced his thoughts on physical geography and philosophy. This disaster became a major topic of debate during the Enlightenment, forcing Europe to confront profound questions about evil, suffering, and the place of humanity in the universe.
Conclusion: A Forgotten Legacy
The 1755 Lisbon earthquake is often forgotten in European historical narratives, which focus more on wars, revolutions, and discoveries. However, this disaster was one of the most influential events in modern history. It not only changed the face of Lisbon and Portugal, but also shook the foundations of European beliefs and thoughts. It gave birth to seismology, triggered political reforms, and challenged theology. It reminds us that nature does not care about human hierarchies, and that even the most prosperous civilizations can collapse in an instant. For those who want to understand how the modern world was shaped, the story of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake is an unforgettable chapter.
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*Reference: [1755 Lisbon earthquake — Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1755_Lisbon_earthquake)*