Prior to the 18th century, Lisbon had experienced several significant earthquakes – eight in the 14th century, five in the 16th century (including the 1531 earthquake that destroyed 1,500 houses and the 1597 earthquake in which three streets vanished), and three in the 17th century.
Prije 18. stoljeća, Lisabon je pogodilo nekoliko većih potresa - osam u 14. stoljeću, pet u 16. stoljeću (uključujući i potrese 1531. koji je uništio 1500 kuća i 1597. kada su nestale tri ulice), i tri u 1 . stoljeću.