Lisbon 1755 Earthquake and Rebuilding with an Art Historian

Discover the history of the event that changed the face of Lisbon. The 1755 earthquake transformed not only the city’s architecture and urban landscape, but also its political and social order, with repercussions far beyond Portugal. Through historical accounts, images and archaeological remains, we’ll explore the Lisbon that existed before the disaster and uncover the story of the earthquake and tsunami through the voices of those who experienced it. We’ll then look at the extraordinary rebuilding that followed: a combination of political power, engineering expertise and ambitious urban planning, driven by the Marquis of Pombal and an elite group of engineers. From innovative anti-seismic construction to standardised architecture, we’ll discover the ideas and challenges behind modern Baixa. This is a tour for anyone looking to go beyond the familiar story of the earthquake and gain a deeper understanding of its impact on Lisbon, Portugal and Europe.