1st of November
Lisbon was struck by a massive earthquake, followed by fires and a tsunami on this day in 1755.
The earthquake struck on All Saints’ Day, a major Catholic feast, while churches were full of worshippers. This timing intensified the spiritual shock and led to widespread soul-searching across Europe.
It is estimated that death toll reached up to 60,000, and the destruction extended to Spain, Morocco, and even the Caribbean.
The quake shook Enlightenment Europe—literally and philosophically—prompting new thinking about science, faith, and disaster response. French Enlightenment writer Voltaire questioned divine justice in the face of such suffering.
The Catholic Church, on the other hand, offered theological responses that framed the disaster within divine providence, moral reflection, and eschatological meaning.
The almost unprecedented catastrophe, however, led to major advances in seismology, urban planning, and disaster response, especially under the leadership of Marquis of Pombal, who oversaw Lisbon’s reconstruction.
