EPISODE · May 31, 2026 · 7 MIN
The Lisbon Earthquake of 1755
from The History of Portugal: The Small Nation That Built a Global Empire — Fexingo History · host Fexingo
On November 1, 1755, All Saints' Day, Lisbon was devastated by a massive earthquake, followed by a tsunami and fires that destroyed much of the city. This episode explores the catastrophe that killed tens of thousands, the intellectual and religious crisis it sparked across Europe, and the Marquis of Pombal's remarkable rebuilding effort. We discuss the seismic science of the time, the debate between faith and reason, and how the disaster reshaped Portuguese urban planning and Enlightenment thought. Key figures include Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo (the Marquis of Pombal), King José I, and Voltaire who wrote about the earthquake. #LisbonEarthquake #1755Earthquake #MarquisOfPombal #PortugueseHistory #Enlightenment #Voltaire #Candide #Tsunami #Seismology #UrbanPlanning #HistoryofPortugal #FexingoHistory #EarthquakeHistory #DisasterStudies #18thCentury #AllSaintsDay #Pombaline #Europe Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
Embed this episode
Ready to play
The Lisbon Earthquake of 1755
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.