History in Ruins: The Disaster That Rocked Lisbon 1755
This week on Catastrophe Chronicles, we dive into the chaos of 1755 Lisbon, where an earthquake on All Saints’ Day unleashed devastation like no other. From the quake itself to the tsunamis and raging fires that followed, this disaster shook more than just buildings—it rattled faith, politics, and philosophy across Europe.
Katie recounts the incredible rise of Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo (Pombal), who turned Lisbon’s ruins into an opportunity for reinvention. His swift and decisive leadership—paired with his pragmatic slogan, “Bury the dead and feed the living”—not only rebuilt the city but reshaped Portugal’s trajectory. Meanwhile, Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau grappled with what the disaster meant for divine providence.
To match the fiery destruction, we’re featuring a blazing cocktail: a mix of grenadine, Fireball whiskey, and ginger ale. It’s a smoky, sweet, and spicy reflection of the infernos that consumed Lisbon after the quake.
Grab a glass, settle in, and join us for a story of shaking ground, rising leaders, and burning questions.
Books
This Gulf of Fire - Mark Molesky
https://www.amazon.com/This-Gulf-Fire-Earthquake-Apocalypse/dp/030738750X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ANKATU1OQ5W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.x_cxKASVWWzGJSsSvpodqkU9dVGO6gn5NlR_VL9KB3GJ1B9UBf-1knAI1Cowt1Ifk40CK7dmMHFnKDJ7wLHI9LTiWy29nK4KLBZHHo2JSd5JBdOnx1s0joG4x3gEh8lLhRJduZR4jq5xOWx9PmyCV8gW_mFQXv7afnDJw_wrHj4EOihLAC1hFuVGjJDjinMF2IK6XmpGpdr0-FzOC9NnLg-ji_kEHlGO37jvQLx9Fsc.nbJ61kC8EZGRy79PA9CV8zi2Y-JVWaQInX-9SJEE6hU&dib_tag=se&keywords=lisbon+earthquake&qid=1732287324&sprefix=lisbon+earthquake+%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-1
The Last Day: Wrath, Ruin and Reason in the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 - Nicholas Shrady
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Day-Reason-Lisbon-Earthquake-ebook/dp/B0017T0DK0/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1ANKATU1OQ5W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.x_cxKASVWWzGJSsSvpodqkU9dVGO6gn5NlR_VL9KB3GJ1B9UBf-1knAI1Cowt1Ifk40CK7dmMHFnKDJ7wLHI9LTiWy29nK4KLBZHHo2JSd5JBdOnx1s0joG4x3gEh8lLhRJduZR4jq5xOWx9PmyCV8gW_mFQXv7afnDJw_wrHj4EOihLAC1hFuVGjJDjinMF2IK6XmpGpdr0-FzOC9NnLg-ji_kEHlGO37jvQLx9Fsc.nbJ61kC8EZGRy79PA9CV8zi2Y-JVWaQInX-9SJEE6hU&dib_tag=se&keywords=lisbon+earthquake&qid=1732287407&sprefix=lisbon+earthquake+%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-3
Articles
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/earthquake-takes-heavy-toll-on-lisbon
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1101351
https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/benchmarks-november-1-1755-earthquake-destroys-lisbon
Podcasts
The Great Lisbon Earthquake (Entry 548.1S1415) - Omnibus
The Great Lisbon Earthquake - Everything, Everywhere Daily
