| Destination: PORTUGAL | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Things To Know
Lisbon Flavors and Bacalhau
Souvenirs from Lisbon Film, Music and Fado The Lisbon Earthquake |
The Lisbon Earthquake On All Saints Day (November 1), 1755, the Lisbon earthquake struck. Churches were packed for this major feast day, and thousands of lighted candles toppled during the tremors, starting fires that were as destructive as the quake itself. A massive tidal wave followed, swallowing Lisbon's fleet and flooding the already-destroyed lower city. During the aftermath, corpses were sent to sea on barges and sunk in order to avert the plague. Hospitals opened, prices were fixed and a tax was levied to cover re-building costs, including the renovation of the lower city, today known as the Baixa district. Although Lisbon largely recovered, 1755 marked the end of its role as Europe's leading port city. |
|
||||||||||||||||||
