Ottoman archives and the assessment of the seismicity of Greece 1456–1833

Abstract

This article examines the contribution of Ottoman sources of historical information for the study of the seismicity of Greece, in particular of Athens during the period of the Ottoman domination, a period during which relatively few original Greek sources of data are available. An annotated list of a number of case histories of earthquakes in Greece from Ottoman sources is presented translating only a summary of the information for those who want to access the whole document. They contain not only a valuable record of earthquakes, but also, for the earthquake historian, a wealth of information about locations where earthquakes were not felt. The article discusses the effects of earthquakes, of the 1826–7 siege on the Acropolis its purpose being to provide information with such annotation as would facilitate its use by engineering seismologists with additional macroseismic data that could supplement the rather meagre information.

Appendix: Case histories

What follows is a sample of information retrieved from Ottoman sourses chiefly regarding the damage caused by earthquakes chiefly in Greece during the period 1500 to 1850.

• 1502.02.25 There was an earthquake on Friday 17 Shaban AH 907 and the earth shook strongly, so that two towns across from Filebecik, in the vicinity of Siroz were swallowed up $\ldots \ldots$ and more than 200 men lost their lives $\ldots$ (Oruç, 150)

• 1554.04.24 As a result of the earthquake of Thursday 1 Safar AH 951 (24 April 1544), the katholikon of the monastery of Dousiko near Triki was damaged and had to be repaired. About 16 months later, two columns supporting the roof failed bringing down the entire roof and its five domes, adding to the overall damage. (Alexandropoulos 1994)

• 1555 This is an order to the sancakbegi of Üsküb/Skopje, Atayi Beg as follows: ‘Having requested my imperial permission to settle down in Prilep, because you were unable to get accustomed to the climate in the town of Skopje, and because the house where you lived had been demolished following an earthquake that took place earlier, $\ldots \ldots$.on Evail-i Rebi I AH 968 (20–29.ii.1560) (Shopova 1955, 14–15).

• 1568.10.10 An order to the kadi of Lazkiye (modern Latakia) dated 18 Rabi-II AH 976 which says that ‘$\ldots$ the great earthquake demolished the walls and roofs on many mescids, mihrabs and Marchens in the town and in the villages; in particular, some walls of the great old mosque built by Sultan Alaeddin are destroyed and some walls are cracked $\ldots$’ (BBA:MD 7, 797).

• 1577.11.29 An order to the sancakbeği of Karli Illi, dated Ramadan 985, for the repair to Ayamavr a (Santa Maura $=$ Lefkas) castle which was destroyed in many places by an earthquake and its walls are still leaning. This earthquake, should have occurred sometime before the issue of this order (BBA:MD 33, 200–60).

• 1577 January 28 Documents dated 23 Muharrem AH 985 refer to repairs to the damage of castle of Lefkosa (Nicosia) in Cyprus caused by the earthquake of 1577 January 28 and by its aftershocks (BBA:MD 23).

• 1601 April 17 A document dated AH 1021 refers to the re-building of Çerge castle in Avlonya (Valona) in the place of Dukar (Dukat) castle near Delvine, which was destroyed in an earthquake (BBA:MMD 22402, 8, 21).

• 1609 April According to a document dated 10 Muharrem AH 1018 the people of the island of Rhodes were ordered to give three days labour to help repair ‘$\ldots$ those places of Rhodes castle which are damaged in an earthquake $\ldots$’ (BBA:MD 78.698).

• 1642 May On 7 Cumada II 1052 an order to the formerly sancakbeği of Tirhala (Trikkala in Peloponnese) and (now) appointed to (make a) survey and collect the poll tax: he sent a letter to the Porte saying that while he was in the place called Londa (Liondari), there was a great earthquake around the castle of Koron on 1 Rebi I and some parts of the castle collapsed, and need repair $\ldots$ (BBA:MMD 6415, 92).

• 1659 February 17 A contemporary report states that mosques and churches collapsed in Tekirdağ, Çanakkale and in Gelibolu parts of the namasgah were ruined (BBA: D. BŞM dosya 257/19).

• 1673 April 3 The repair and restoration of the Aya Sofia mosque in the fortress of Ohri , demolished by an earthquake $\ldots$ 16 Muharrem 1084 (NLCM. Or.Dept. F.15 a.u.43, f1v).

• 1681 January 1 An order dated 15 Shawwal AH 1095 says that $\ldots$ the main fortress of Kalamata castle in the sancak of Morea has two cracks from an earthquake; the north side is completely unsound and on the point of collapse, and it has great need of repair $\ldots$ (BBA:MMD 9860, 104).

• 1686 A rescript dated 13 Rebi-II AH 1097 states that a ‘great’ earthquake, which caused damage to the castle of Rhodes , occurred just after an estimate for repairs to earlier damage had been made in AH 1096 (BBA:MMD 2933, 85).

• 1694 June Damage to Negreponte caused by an earthquake is evidenced in an order from the Ottoman fisc to Vezir Ismail Pasha, who was charged with the defence of the place. In order to present the style of these orders, the document which is dated 16 Dhu’l-Hijja AH 1112 and is the earliest so far located of the series which refers to earthquake damage at Negreponte in these years, gives precise details regarding the costs of the materials required to repair the damage sustained. The extent of the damage is described thus: ‘$\ldots$ 35 cubits of the castle wall adjoining the armoury outside the Yali Gate of Egriboz castle, which is opposite Kara Baba, is demolished; and near to this, part of the corner wall and part of the castle wall near to the Mansur Tower , which is near the upper gate, is demolished; again, in these places some parts have cracked from dryness (?) and need repair; (thus) $32\times 3\times 18=1{,}728$ sq.cubits of the castle wall will be repaired and built from the foundations up, and the demolished area of the castle wall outside the Yali Gate $6\times 10\times 5=300$ sq.cubits, and from the foundations up, the demolished castle wall near the Mansur Tower, $14\times 112\times 1.5=252$ sq.cubits, and the cracked (?) wall in the same place, $10\times 7\times 1.5=105$ sq.cubits, which is 2385 sq.cubits in total...’ It is also noted in this document that the total cost of repairs, assessed locally but accepted by the Porte, is put at 189,420 akce (1,578 gurus) (BBA:MMD 3134, 450).

Other relevant documents confuse rather than clarify. A schedule dated 17 Dhu’l-Hijja AH 1115 specifies the dimensions of each area of damage and the related cost of repair, for a total cost of 1,829,093 akce (15,242 gurus) (BBA:MMD 3992, 530–32).

In documents dated 18 Jumada-II AH 1117 the extent of earthquake related repairs at Egriboz is put at 10,253 cubits (BBA:MMD 4355, 318–20; MMD:9895, 36–37), a rather larger figure than before. Since other contemporaneous repairs, such as the need for poles to repair the palisades at both Egriboz and Kara Baba castles are listed separately on these pages, it may be justifiably assumed that further earthquakes had occurred since that recorded in the earlier document of 1701.

The extent of earthquake damage is confirmed in an account for the repairs which were finally carried out between 28 Jumada-II AH 1117 and 28 Muharrem AH 1118. Here, damage which occurred ‘after the earthquake’ is recorded separately, with details being given of the extent of damage to named structures, and earthquake related repairs actually carried out are thus shown to have totalled 9,662 cubits, only a little short of the estimate of 10,253 cubits. The cost of both earthquake related and other repairs was 19,500 gurus (BBA:MMD 4355, 325–26).

The Ottoman documents so far found which relate to earthquake activity in Eğribos at this time show, at the least, that there was a damaging earthquake here before late May AD 1701, and possibly another soon after. The issue is obscured further by a document dated 22 Muharrem AH 1112 which refers to the need for repairs to damage to the foundations of Egriboz castle caused by the action of the sea and the hard winter (BBA:MMD 3134, 40 (4); BBA:MMD 3992, 332 the absence of reference to earthquake damage here does not, however, imply that an earthquake must have occurred between mid 1700 and mid 1701. It is probable that repairs carried out between September 1705 and May 1706 included damage caused by the earthquake which occurred in Attica on 3 September 1705.

• 1695 September 26 Figure 6 shows a ferman dated in the second decade of Shawwal 1113 AH (11 to 20 March 1701), addressed to the kaza of Egri Buchak, refers to a petition submitted to the Porte with which it was made known that at the village of Quzna (Kozani) an earthquake some years previously had damaged the walls of the church of St. Nicholas, as a result of which the roof of the edifice was now threatening collapse so that prayers could not be performed. In response, the ferman instructs the local authorities to allow the repair and redecoration of the church, but under the condition that these works should not be allowed to lead to the enlargement of the edifice in plan and height (Tsarmanides 1995).

A typical example of the value of Ottoman documents is the case that until very recently the region of Kozani in northern Greece was considered to be almost free from destructive earthquakes. However, the recent, damaging earthquake of 13 May 1995 came as a surprise demonstrating that the short-term seismic record may not be all that representative of long-term activity. This was confirmed from an Ottoman order (buyurultu) which was kept in the sacristy of the church of St. Nicholas in Kozani, about the reconstruction of the church after an earthquake in 1695 which affected the region, about which no one knew about (Papaioannou 1989).

• 1703 January 19 The source for the information for this earthquake is a Turkish Register of 19 Zilkade AH 1114 which dates the event to the month of Ramazan. A Register dated AH 1116 notes that repairs had been completed. ‘[Order dated 19 Zilkade 1114] Inebahti castle is an old building and in the repeated earthquakes in the month of Ramazan the middle level of the bastion, known as the Tekye bastion, has fallen down. The walls on the right- and left-hand sides of the tower are cracked, and on the west side of the upper castle the walls known as i.e. of the council chamber (divanhane) and Yolma (?) Kapu are cracked and the garrison request $\ldots$’ (BBA:MMD 3992, 520). and order [Dated 1116] - notes repairs due to Inebahti earthquake of 1114; damage repair cost 6229 gurus (BBA:MMD 4355, 162f). See also (BBA:MMD:2945, 504, :MMD 4355, 115–16, 162–63, PMH 1703, p. 238).

• 1705 September 3 It is interesting that it is Ottoman sources that mention the only known strong earthquake on the Acropolis. It occurred on 3 September 1705 and caused the damage and in places the partial collapse of the southeast part of its wall, for the repair of which 6,264 cubits of masonry was required. The shock ruined the water tank all but 5 or 6 of the 24 cisterns within the castle. Damage extended to the armoury and to some of the gates of the castle. Repair costs were considerable (BBA:MMD 3878, 324; BBA:MMD 4355, 447).

Information provided by a series of unpublished Ottoman documents fix unambiguously the year of this earthquake in Athens, in detail not found in Greek sources.

One of these documents (BBA:MMD 4355, 367, 447), dated 7 Ramadan AH 1117 states that the castle of Athens was damaged in an earthquake in AH 1117, as reported by the kadi of Athens on 16 Rajab AH that ‘$\ldots$ Athens castle $\ldots$ was this year damaged and ruined in an earthquake $\ldots$’.

By 7 Rabi-II AH 1120 repairs were complete, according to strict specifications as to the local sources from which should be drawn materials and labour (BBA:MMD 3878, 324; BBA:MMD 4355, 447).

There is reason to suppose, however, that other towns were affected in this earthquake. It is possible that some of the damage reported from Eğribos at about the same time (BBA:MMD 9895, 124) dated Sha’ban AH 1117 could have been the result of the same earthquake. It is possible that some of the damage reported from Negreponte at about the same time (BBA:MMD 9895, 124) dated Sha’ban AH 1117 could have been the result of the same earthquake.

• 1706 September A Turkish Register document, notes in Selanik (Thessaloniki) ‘[Dated Cumada II, 1118] The mosque known as the Kasimiye mosque in the centre of the city of Selanik was built in AH 898 by Sultan Bayezid; over the years there have been earthquakes, and a few years ago the mihrab side was completely demolished, for the whole building was shaken. Now the length of the building and its roofs have fallen in and it is completely ruined and close to collapse; if [the damage is allowed to worsen] the marbles will be broken and the lead coverings lost $\ldots$’ (BBA:MMD 4355, 394).

• 1708 April This event is reported in an Ottoman Register, dated 19 Rabi (I?) AH 1142 (11 October AD 1729), which records that the need for repair had already been reported to Istanbul. ‘[Dated 18 Rabi 1142] With the passage of time and as a result of the roof and walls being shaken in a former earthquake, the walls of the part of the Fethiye Mosque in Eğribos called the Orta Kapu and of the medrese are ruined; their [need for] repair was reported before to Istanbul, and the register came with estimates. However it is now reported that the wall on the Mecca side of the mosque is completely demolished as far as the mihrab and prayers are impossible $\ldots$’ (BBA:MMD 9922, 202).

• 1709 March 13 ‘[Dated 24 Rabi II, 1121] The wall on the west side of the newly repaired castle of Vonice, in the sancak of Karli Ili, on the border opposite Aya Mavra, collapsed in the earthquake of this year because it was weak $\ldots$’ (BBA:MMD 9899, 217). ‘[Dated 22 Safar 1124] Vonice castle, previously repaired, and with a weak western side, had this wall demolished in the great earthquake. An investigation into this damage was ordered in 1121 $\ldots$ ’ (BBA:MMD 3439, 127) See also BBA:MMD 3882, 176 which gives Dubnice.

• 1709 An imperial order, dated 18 Shawwal AH 1122 provides information that ‘[on evval 1122] Some parts of the mosque (sic) built by Sultans Mehmed and Süleyman in the inner castle of the town of Kesriye (Kastoria) were demolished in the earthquake of 1121 $\ldots$’ (BBA:MMD 3882, 271).

• 1713 February A violent earthquake in Berati in Albania destroyed the walls of the castle of the town and the arsenal. This information comes from a report of the commandant of the castle of Arnavut Belgradi (Berat) dated 27 Rajab AH 1125. It says ‘The commandant of the castle of Arnavud Belgrad (Berat) sent a report: the wall of this castle and the town and arsenal were demolished in the violent earthquake of this year which continued for 6 months $\ldots$’ (BAA:MMD 3882, 320, 511).

• 1713 February Repair orders dated 12 Shaban AH 1125 (3 September AH 1713) and 29 Safar AH 1126 (16 March AD 1714; BAA:MMD 3882, 242) refer to ‘$\ldots$ to the earthquake this year which again destroyed the castle wall of Kavala : 690 cubits of the wall of the arsenal bastion at Çömlekçi Burun $\ldots$ apart from the 3,454 cubits of Kavala castle which was already demolished $\ldots$ half of the bastion in the area of the aqueduct in the outer castle is demolished and is unsafe $\ldots$’ (BBA:MMA 3434, 382).

• 1714 July 29 An Ottoman document, dated Ramazan AH 1126, records earthquake damage in Inebahti (Nafpactos). ‘Some parts of the palace of the commander of Inebahti were destroyed in the great earthquake this year, and are uninhabitable. The mosque of Sultan Bayezid near the quay of the castle was completely destroyed in the earthquake; when an assessment was made of the damage it was found that the following needed renewal: 2-storey walls, roof, ceiling, galleries, anteroom (sofa), outer porch, gate, balcony of the minaret and conical roof. Repairs to the lower castle necessitated by the earthquake of noon of 17 Receb 1126.’ (BAA:MMD 3367, 54–57).

• 1714 An order dated 25 Dhu’l-Qa’da AH 1126 (2 December AD 1714) records the occurrence of an earthquake in Rhodes. Amongst building works to be undertaken ‘$\ldots$ the tower known as the western tower at the entrance of the harbour was cracked in four places by an earthquake and needs repair...’ (BBA:MMD 3897, 362–63).

• 1717 Documents referring to the effect of an earthquake in the Hellenic Arc dated 2 Safar AH 1149 ‘$\ldots$ since the castle of Koronin Morahas not been repaired since the Conquest, most of its walls are ruined through neglect, and the great earthquake some time ago caused its walls to lean $\ldots$’ (BBA:MMD 3609, 90).

• 1719 July 23 Incomplete data on the effects of an earthquake in northeast Aegean recorded in a contemporary order ‘$\ldots$ the dome and other parts of the Fatih mosque in Inoz was damaged by time and earthquake’ (BBA:ŞS 120, 275).

• 1727 February 21 Information about the effect of earthquakes reported in a Register dated 29 Cumada (I?) AH 1139 ‘[Dated 29 Cumada I 1139] The walls on the armoury side of the unnamed tower of Gördüs castle, and those opposite the Kehriz port are ruined by the passage of time, earthquake and thunderbolt; apart from the structure being entirely in the open, corsairs $\ldots$ ’ (BBA:MMD 9918, 256).

• 1729.10.11 Eğriboz (Chalkis) MMD 9922, 202

• 1733 December 23 Damage from an earthquake in the Aegean is reported on Samos, Siphnos and Chios where a depot in the armoury of the castle was demolished by the shock, and a further four adjacent depots were cracked on the point of collapse (BBA: MMD 6282, 330; BBA:MMD 3609, 520).

• 1736 June An Ottoman Register dated to 2 Safar 1149 reports that ‘Since the castle of Koron in the Morea has not been repaired since the Conquest, most of its walls are ruined through neglect, and the earlier great earthquake caused them to lean: they are in a very poor state and badly need repair $\ldots$’ (BBA:MMD 3609, 90).

• 1739 April 4 The effects of the earthquake of Eski Foca on Chios are reported briefly in Ottoman documents, on the night of 25 Dhu’l-Hijja AH 1151 ( BBA:MMD 3609, 344).

• 1741 January 31 A contemporary prescript says that as a result of the earthquake : ‘...some parts of the tower known as the Ferenk tower in the inner castle of Rhodes are completely demolished, as were some rooms; in addition to this, the walls and barbicans of many towers and bastions of the outer castle are utterly ruined and in particular, the western tower overlooking entrance of the great harbour is cracked in several places; the mole and esbab towers are also partly ruined and are in places close to collapse and the rooms within, where the garrison is quartered, and the observation posts are destroyed..’

The initial estimate of the cost of repairs, 7,690 gurus, was clearly considered too much of a burden by the Porte, and it was ordered that the damage parts of the castle be abandoned, and that another detailed survey of damage be made, relating only to essential repairs (BBA:MMD 3609, 516).

Damage extended to the mainland, to the north of the island, at Davas, Karayuk, Mesevle and Milas for which there are no details.

On the island of Meyis (Castellorizo) some parts of the outer castle were cracked and badly damaged. Further away, the shock seems to have rendered close to collapse the castles of Yilan Baslik (?) and Birgos (Kum Burun) in the kaza of Finike (BBA:MMD 3609, 556, 568).

• 1742 February 21 An Ottoman report was prepared in response to an order sent to the kadi of Gördüs to notify the Porte of the damage and loss of life in the district due to the earthquake. It gives a detailed account of the inspection made and includes even a list of the names of the householders affected in the region and does not date the event, but it is dated Muharrem AH 1156 (25 February-26 March AD 1743 NS). ‘Damage in Gördüs (Corinth) kazasi (administrative district) in this earthquake: Gördüs town: The minaret of the mosque in the market collapsed from the balcony upwards. The eaves of the Alay Beyi mosque in the suburbs have been demolished. The [$\ldots$] Bey mosque in the suburbs is partly demolished. The house (hane) in the suburbs of Hatice Hatun, known as the ‘Bosnak wife’, is completely demolished. Part of the tower of Abdi Bey in the suburbs is demolished and the remainder is cracked. In the (covered) market in the suburbs 20 shops and stalls are demolished. All other houses and towers are cracked. Village of Tirhala (Trikala): About 150 houses are completely destroyed; 5 churches are partly demolished, and another cracked on 3 or 4 sides; 48 houses are partly destroyed, 4 houses cracked; 2 dead cows, 2 houses and 3 outhouses completely destroyed. At Lulsi (Louzi):2 houses, 6 outhouses collapsed. At Suli (Souli):1 house, 2 outhouses completely destroyed. In the village of Walgalir more than 2 outhouses: 1 dead; of Vladoth (Vladusa) 10 houses completely cracked. Of Parit : 9 houses (menzil) completely destroyed; 1 dead. In Markisi (Markasi):1 tower partly demolished; 7 outhouses and 3 houses ruined, while at Dasha (Doxa) 1 mill partly demolished, 1 mill completely demolished. 6 houses (menzil) completely, 16 partly. 4 houses (hane) completely. Village of Zaholi (Zacholi), in the quarter of Potamuz (Potamos) 27 hane partly; 16 completely collapsed; of Kotuz (Kutos) 8 hane partly; 16 completely destroyed; of Paruz, 1 tower partly; 6 hane partly, 9 completely; 2 menzil partly, 1 completely; 2 stables completely. In the lower nahiye (sub-division of the kaza), the village of Indiklomisro 11 hane fell in; at Nakli 24 hane were completely destroyed; of Sufkuz (Sofiko) 7 hane completely and 10 partly collapsed. In the upper nahiye, in the village of Absari (Psari) 7 hane were partly and 2 completely destroyed while of Hikal (Haikal, n. Ayios Vasilios) 5 hane were completely and 7 partly destroyed. On the farm of Ali Ağa, in the place called Kurta, 8 outhouses and 1 straw store completely destroyed. On the farm of the above known as Kulak, near Ayia Yoryi, 3 outhouses were completely destroyed and others cracked. Some outhouses were also completely destroyed and others cracked. The total number of menzils, outhouses/sheds and towers was 382.’ (BBA:A.DVN 808).

• 1742 February 25 Extracts from some of the Ottoman reports of the damage caused by an earthquake on Zante in the Peloponnese and in the western part of the Gulf of Corinth, says that The earthquake was strongly felt in Kefalonia while the island was still recovering from the damaging earthquake eight months earlier. [Rebi I 1156,May AD 1743] ‘The walls of the castle of Inebahti (Nafpaktos) and of the upper town and also of Kastel castle have been demolished in most places by the recent earthquake. Since the poles of the stockades and ditches of both these castles have not been repaired for 8 years they are in a bad way, and the stockades need repair $\ldots$’ (MMD 3609, 582; CD 3406). ‘[ Dated 25 Ramazan 1167, February AD 1754] Owing to the passage of time and a great earthquake, and because they have not been repaired for over 20 years and remain neglected, the castle walls and some [other] places of the lower part of the gate of the upper castle on the west side of the middle level of the fortress of Inebahti, in the vicinity of Kara Mustafa Bastion, are very ruined and it is evident that they will cost much to repair; therefore; when an estimate was made 5280 square cubits need repair, and trees for the stockade and railings $\ldots$’ (BBA:MMD 9976, 126).

• 1743 February 20 There is a lot of information from Ottoman sources for this large earthquake in the Otranto that affected many parts of western coast of Greece and of the Gulf of Corinth. ‘In the earthquake of the day of 26 Zilhicce 1155 the castles of Anaboli and Palamuda had 124 cubits damage and the domes of Sehid Ali Pasa and Kapudan Ibrahim Paşa and Topal Osman Paşa and of the Defterdar and some walls, and Balyabadra castle and suburbs and Mora Kasteli have 279 cubits’ damage, as well as the minarets of the mosques of Sultans Mehmed and Süleyman and some places of the mosques being demolished $\ldots$ the castle of Benefse (Monemvasia) has 90 cubits’ damage; some houses in the town of Vostiçe (Aiyion) and the minaret of the mosque of the late Osman Paşa are demolished; 482 houses in the kaza and villages of Gördüs (Corinth) are ruined. ‘The great earthquake of Zilhicce 1155 cracked most places of the castle of Delvine and some places were demolished; the roofs of the armoury and the goal and the guardpost towers are leaning over $\ldots$’ (BBA:MMD 3609, 578, 582, 590)

• 1748 May 25 Sample information for the earthquake in northern Peloponnese are: ‘[Dated 25 Receb 1167, February AD 1754] $\ldots$ Owing to the passage of time and the great earthquake, the lower part of the gate of the upper castle in the vicinity of the Kara Mustafa bastion which is on the west side of the middle level of Inebahti castle is in a bad state $\ldots$’ ( BBA:MMD 9976,126). ‘[Dated 9 Şaban 1163, July AD 1750] Some parts of the mosque of Sultan Mehmet II in Gördüs were ruined in the former earthquake and need repair $\ldots$’ ( BBA:MMD 9968, 307).

• 1750 June The Ottoman Register of Important Affairs which mentions damage from the AD 1743 earthquake in Anavarin (Navarino) also records earthquake damage in AH 1165 (AD 1751-2;$`$ [Anavarin, dated Ramazan 1177, March 1764] Since the Conquest water comes to the castle from 4 hours away; apart from damage due to the passing of time and rain, the earthquakes of 1156 [AD 1743-4] and 1165 [AD 1751-2] demolished some parts of the water channels and the flow is cut. ’ ( BBA:MMD 3160, 476; MMD.Mora ahkami n.4.100).

• 1752 July 29 An example of information from a thorough search in the archives describing the 1752 earthquake in Thrace that can be derived from Ottoman narratives is given below in summary.

The earthquake caused great damage in Edirne: except for the four minarets of the mosque of Sultan Selim, and one each of the Defterdar Mustafa Pasa and Ibrahim Pasa mosques, all others in the city were demolished or left leaning; many domes fell; houses, shops and walls were ruined. When the stone wall on the western side of the han built by the vezir Etmekcizade Ahmed Pasa collapse, the han partly fell into his garden as he prayed there ( BBA:MMD 10361, 98).

It is mostly from references to repairs occasioned by the earthquake that we know which buildings were damaged. Among the many mosques and mescids ruined was the Uç Serefeli mosque, of which 7 domes and 4 minarets were demolished, and 2 medreses and a mektep was badly cracked and still awaited repairs in AD 1763 ( BBA:CE 11813, cf. MMD 3160, 415; BBA:D.BSM.BNE 15914, 62; BBA:MD 163, 223). The Kilise and Halebiye mosques also needed repair and a commemorative inscription was composed on the repair of the Eski Cami, whose minaret and domes were damaged (Ayverdi 1972, 160) as well as for the Muradiye mosque. The early fifteenth century AD Gazi Mihal bridge and other bridges were also badly affected ( BBA:MMD 9976, 212, 216),

The castle walls of Edirne, as well as a number of gates were ruined; an estimate of the damage in Rabi-II AH 1166 (January AD 1753) notes that ‘...the walls of the castle are completely ruined from the candleworks (mumhane) to the Cannon Gate (Top Kapusu), from there to the Cage Gate (Kafas Kapusu), from there as far as the Goatherds Gate (Kececiler Kapusu), from the gate of the Tannery (debbaghane) known as the Germe Gate, to the Manyas Gate, from the imperial prison to the fish market, and from there as far as the Tower Gate (Kule Kapusu)...’; further, the Cannon, Cage, Goatherds and Manyas Gates were themselves all completely demolished (BBA:D.BŞM.BNE 15914.56, cf. MMD 9974.21.60; MMD 9978, 400).

The large depot of the arsenal in the inner castle was partly destroyed, arches and walls of the gunpowder depot were cracked, and the barracks of the cannoneers was partly ruined and repairs were also necessary to the workshop of the corps responsible for the gun carriages ( BBA:D. BŞM.BNE . 15914, 49–49, 60, 64, cf. MMD 3160, 516–17, 602–3, MMD 9974, 29, 50, 61. CM 1907). The imperial palace at Edirne, on the Tuinca River, to the north of the town, suffered the collapse of some walls (BBA:MMD 9976, 135).

A repair inscription to the Mahmud Pasa mosque here indicates that this building collapsed in the earthquake. To the southwest of Edirne, a camel stable collapsed in the village of Ahur (BBA:D.BŞM.BNE. 15914.42-42; PGB 1752.10.19).

An order dated mid-Rajab AH 1173 (February AD 1760), addressed to Filibe (Philippopoli or Plovdiv) district indicates that in the places shaken by the Edirne earthquake, mosques fell down, which must mean that this happened in the kaza of Filibe ( BBA:CS . 4976).

In Ipsala, prayers were unable to be conducted in the mosque built by Sultan Murad I, which had been repaired in AD 1747, because some of its walls had been rendered close to collapse by the earthquake, and its minaret was leaning over ( BBA:MMD 9991, 297).

At Enez on the Evros delta, most parts of the castle were brought close to collapse, while others were completely demolished - the castle had already been repaired after the AD 1730 earthquake, but reconstruction needed after the AD 1752 event was more extensive ( BBA:MMD 19584, 2–3, cf. MMD 9976, 106); there was cracking to the main gate, dome, the mihrab, the women’s section and to some arches of the mosque of Sultan Mehmet II inside the castle, which was already in a state of neglect. Its outer walls were ruined ( BBA:MMD 9976, 200, 323).

• 1752.11.19 Anaboli (Nafplio) MMD 3160, 476; 3160, 572ff606

• 1756 October 20 Destructive shocks in central north-central part of the Gulf of Corinth. Contemporary Ottoman reports, however confirm that epicentral area was in Fokis, they say that at Inebahti (Nafpaktos) ‘$\ldots$ towers and bastions and domes over the castle gates and walls protecting the ordanance depot from the sea were demolished. The Sultan Mustafa mosque near the quay and the Beyazit mosque in the castle and its minarets domes and walls cracked and demolished. Most of the walls and domes of the palace of sancakbegi were demolished $\ldots$’ Also at Kastel (Antirio) ‘$\ldots$ towers and bastions were damaged, and mostly demolished, as is palisade $\ldots$’ (BBA:MMD 3160, 247–9). This damage was extensive, the account of repairs covers several pages. It was attributed not only to this earthquake but also to the fact that many of these buildings were in disrepair (BBA:MMD 6282, 620; BBA:MD 162, 219, 302–3). Damage extended in the region of Olendorik (Lidoriki).

• 1765 March 20 A damaging earthquake with an offshore epicentre in the northeast Aegean Sea. This is probably the earthquake mentioned in a contemporary document dated 3 Rabi-II AH 1179 which says that ‘$\ldots$ before this date, the (roof) over the gunpowder store on the northeast side of the castle of Sultanhisar (Çanakkale) was partly destroyed by an earthquake...’ ( BBA:MMD 3160, 287).

• 1767 March 26 A document dated Muharrem AH 1181 says that ‘$\ldots$ the zaviye of Dizdarzade in Edirne together with the wooden mosque inside and the walls and roofs of its minaret were much damaged in an earthquake and threaten to collapse..’ ( BBA:MMD 3160, 424). Damage to the Muradiye mosque recorded in a document dated Cumada -I AH may also be associated with the earthquake that ruined Zerna (near Ibriktepe of August AD 1766 ( BBA:CE 29571).

• 1768 August The castles of Evripos (Negreponte/Chalkis) and Kara Baba were damaged by an earthquake. This is noted in general terms in a Ottoman document dated 15 Ramazan 1182, information which is not sufficient to associate these events with any of the known earthquakes of the period in the region. ‘Estimate for repairs to Eğriboz and Kara Baba castles owing to the passage of time and earthquakes at various times $\ldots$’ ( MMD 3160, 452–54).

• 1769 June 27 Ottoman registers dated Muharrem 1183 mention earthquakes as the cause of damage to Anaboli (Nauplion) and to other castles (BBA:MMD 3160, 572–75, 578 and 476). Another register, of 15 Şaban 1189 mentions repairs to the Kastel-I Bahri (Burzi) and Palamuda (Palamidi) (BBA:MMD 3160, 686; BBA:MMD 3160, 572ff, 606).

• 1769 December A document dated Dhu‘l-Hijja AH 1183 says that an earthquake damaged Kandiya (Candia) in Shaban AH 1183. Another document dated 15 Shawwal AH 1198 gives an account of the repairs to earthquake damage to the castle on the islet of Spinalonga in the bay of Ag. Nicholaos ( BBA:MMD 3162, 1004). This event may also have damaged the castle of Moton (Methoni, in the SW Peloponnese), and have ruined its water tower and cannon embrasures. Another Register dated 9 Dhu‘l-Hijja 1183 notes damage to Moton (Methoni) castle, although no earthquake is mentioned. ‘[Dated 16 Dhu ‘l-Qa ‘ada 1183] ‘Kandiye castle has not been repaired for a long time and some places are in ruins; thus the earthquake of Shaban of this year destroyed most places and repair is needed.’ ( BBA:MMD 9999, 218, 225). ‘[Dated 9 Dhu ‘l-Hijja 1183] ‘Moton castle has not been repaired for a long time and is damaged inside and out; also the water tower and the cannon embrasures are ruined.’ ( BBA:MMD 9999, 218).

• 1769 This was an earthquake in the central part of the Gulf of Corinth, reported at legth in Ottoman documents. Summary: an account for earthquake repairs Inebahti dated Cumada I, 1185 (MMD 3160, 588ff). ‘[Dated AH 1183]‘The Kastel-i Mora has not been repaired since the Conquest .., having been destroyed by earthquakes.’ (BBA:MMD 3160, 578-81). ‘[Dated 29 Cumada II 1183] ‘There is damage to Kastel-i Mora, which has not been repaired since the Conquest: the towers, bastions, the armoury, the janissary barracks and the mosque inside the castle are all close to collapse. It was not possible to examine the inside of the castle [because of the damage].’ ( BBA:MMD 9999, 113). Summary: Kastel-i Bahri walls damaged in an unspecified earthquake and repaired in AH 1189 (AD 1775–6). ( BBA:MMD 3160, 686).

• 1770 January A strong earthquake in Santa Maura in January AD 1770, results of which are reported in ( BBA:MMD 3160, 606) which, however needs authentication.

• 1779 December 6 An Ottoman document dated 15 Shawwal 1198 states that some parts of the castle of Ispirlanga on the island of Crete which was damaged in an earthquake were repaired. ( BBA:MMD 3162, 1004)$\ldots$The Island of Crete has been exposed to frequent earthquakes for some time, which have been harmful in some areas. The Castle of Eropetra (Ierapetra) with its garrison of 300 Turks was swallowed up; also thirteen small villages were suddenly destroyed and buried, their inhabitants being killed. ( PMH 1780 November, 203f).

• 1785.02.09 Balyabadra (Patra) MMD 3162, 332–35, 968

• 1785.06.24 Eğriboz (Chalkis) MMD 3162, 101

• 1796 August An earthquake in Peloponnese. A contemporary order refers to the need for repairs to the castle of Anavarin (Navarino) caused by an earthquake in Safar 1211 AH (Aug.-Sep. 1796). It says that ‘$\ldots$ in the earthquake 200 cubits of water conduit in the place known as Molla Ismail’s orchard, was destroyed $\ldots$’ (BBA:MD 203, 114, 279–80).

• 1829 April 11 This was the first of two consecutive destructive earthquakes in northeast Greece. Most probably damage was also done in the kaza of Drama, where after the earthquake estates were seized by the fisc; they had been damaged in the earthquake and needed repairs (BBA:CE 3430 8.4.1249).

• 1829 May 5 This was a larger earthquake originating from the same region as the earthquake of 11 April. The town of Drama, already damaged, was almost totally ruined and many of the surrounding villages and farms were much damaged ( BBA:CS 3430, PPS 1829.188.beilg. ). The plain to the south of Drama liquefied extensively. It was felt over a very large area. In Nis the upper part of the minaret of the Hunkar mosque inside the castle was whipped off by the shock and the mosque was damaged ( BBA:CE 8616).