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Lisbon, also known as the city of the seven hills, is open to the Tagus river and its mild climate, rich fauna and flora helped fast colonisation of the area.
But there was something terrible that changed Lisbon forever - the 1755 earthquake. One often reads that monuments and churches were rebuilt or restored after 1755 earthquake. This was Lisbon's darkest moment in history.
On the morning of the 1st of November 1755 the first tremor was felt and a few minutes later there was a second, far more violent shock, reducing over half the city to rubble. The quake triggered a tsunami, which arrived soon afterwards. As usual the first indication was that the water drew back from the land. Soon, however, the water came back with a wave estimated at 50 feet high crashing through the city. Ships, docks and buildings in the city were battered by the high seas. Thousands of people were swept away.
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As if that wasn't enough, lamps and cooking fires upset in the tumult ignited a fire storm that proved impossible to control. It burned unchecked for three days, completing the destruction. In all more than 60,000 people died in the disaster in Lisbon alone. Thousands more died in other areas. The quake was felt throughout Western Europe and Northwestern Africa.
But the reconstruction of Lisbon took place rapidly and no sooner had the tremors abated than Pombal Marquis was outlining ideas for rebuilding the city. He started by saying "Bury the dead and feed the living" and then he rolled up his sleeves and began work. Due to his determination and practicality, Lisbon was soon back on its feet and better than ever. The area located between downtown Lisbon and Pombal Marquis Square, specially from Rossio Square to Commerce Square, shows the innovative grid system devised by Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo - the Marquis himself! |
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