Abstract:

Located at the intersection of the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas, Crete has been ruined by earthquakes many times. The island is on an earthquake fault called “Hellenistic arch” or “Cretan hollow” that stretches from the south of Crete and Rhodes to the Fethiye Gulf, and has been ruined by many earthquakes from ancient times to the present day. On October 12, 1856, at mid-night, a big earthquake shook Crete. Later, catalogues recorded this earthquake as “severely destructive”. Estimated to have been 8.1 or 8.2 in magnitude, this earthquake caused much damage in the eastern part of the island, especially in Candia sanjak. Sitia/Estiye, located on the eastern side of the island, was almost completely destroyed. Rethymno and Chania, on the other hand, were less affected. Hundreds of people died around Candia, and hundreds were wounded. Aftershocks and fires that lasted for months after the earthquake destroyed many shops and workplaces. Important works of official and civil architecture were also damaged in the earthquake. Following the disaster, authorities afforded a lot of effort to heal the wounds and to re-build Candia

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