Lisbon 1755: The Earthquake That Changed a City
◴ 3 hours
Discover the history of the event that changed the face of Lisbon, not only in its architecture and urban planning, but also by shaking the political and social establishment to its core. Its repercussions went far beyond the seismic waves, reaching some of the most prominent European minds of the time, Voltaire among them. This tour will tell you the history and story of the 1755 earthquake through the voices of those who survived it
Through images and archaeological remains, we will discover what the city looked like before the earthquake. You will learn about the royal palace that once stood by the river and the medieval walls that enclosed the city.
And, of course, we will take a deep look at the extraordinary rebuilding plan: an unparalleled combined effort of political power and engineering expertise. The engineers who designed the plan formed an formed an elite group with tremendous experience, backed by the political force and vision of the Marquis of Pombal.
We will discover the many innovations introduced by the plan, including the refinement of what was considered one of the most advanced anti-seismic construction method in the world at the time, as well as the decision to embrace a form of standardised, mass-produced architecture. We will also look at the constraints imposed by the plan and how the project evolved in response to practical challenges.
What We Will Explore
Cais das Colunas
Rua Augusta Arch (optional, but well worth going up)
Praça do Município
Museu do Dinheiro — including a section of the medieval city walls
A stroll through the streets of Baixa
Praça da Figueira
Rossio
Restauradores
Why choose this tour
This is a tour for anyone who wants to gain an in-depth understanding of the Great Lisbon Earthquake and how it affected not only the city, but also the political future of the country. It is a tour for history enthusiasts, but also for anyone interested in architecture and engineering.
€250 per group
Practical Information
Starting point: Cais das Colunas.
Start time: We can agree on the starting time for the tour once you proceed with the booking.
Duration: 3 hours
Walking: This is a walking tour, and the area is entirely flat. We will walk at a comfortable pace, stopping whenever needed. Comfortable shoes are advisable given the nature of Lisbon's pavements.
Families: This tour can be adapted for families, as most of it takes place in pedestrian areas.
Entrance fees: Monument entrance fees are not included in the tour fee.
Museu do Dinheiro: The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but the tour can still be done on those days with minimal impact on the experience.
Group size: Maximum 8 participants.
Send me an enquiry and we can arrange the details of your tour.