HISTORICAL REVIEW

Comments written by Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul on historical events relevant for our Hospital, collected in the book entitled Kratka povijest Družbe sestara milosrdnica sv. Vinka Paulskoga u Zagrebu (A Brief History of Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul in Zagreb) published in 1935, have been cited on many occasions in this section. Considering the earthquake that struck Zagreb on March 22, 2020, this time, we will cite our Sisters of Charity notes on the earthquake that had struck Zagreb 140 years ago, on November 9, 1880. The earthquake from March 2020 was extensively recorded and commented in all mass media, all major destructions were described, in particular photos of the damaged Zagreb Cathedral went around the world. The activities planned in the future are known, however, fear and suspense caused by earthquake remain. The first recorded earthquake that hit Zagreb was the one from 1502, but the 1880 earthquake was a major one, described by our Sisters of Charity in the above mentioned book. Today, reading their description, it is colorful and interesting; if for a while we ignore the 140-year gap, we will find that most reactions of the people were and are identical, i.e. fear and bewilderment, and so were and are the consequences including demolished buildings, chimneys, churches, etc. In his book Stari Zagreb (Old Zagreb), Gjuro Szabo, one of the most famous historians of the City of Zagreb, writes about the 1880 earthquake that “... it was at least as beneficial as detrimental for Zagreb” (1). Szabo published his book in 1940; considering the intensive and excellent rebuilding/construction of Zagreb during those 60 years, including the new Cathedral, the previous Szabo’s statement is quite understandable, the more so as the 1880 earthquake was a remote past for him. In their book, our Sisters of Charity describe it as a recent event that caused fear, panic experienced by all the citizens, children in particular, and their painful reactions. The convent and school premises in Frankopan Street had sustained severe damages, but our Hospital, then located in Ilica 83, remained relatively secure and without inflicted persons, with the exception of wrecked chimney. They write: “Catholic Gazette writes about Zagreb and its frightened inhabitants, there is no music or singing, no laughing anywhere” (2). Merits for Zagreb rebuilding mostly go to Matija Mrazović, then Zagreb mayor; he did not tolerate ill behaviors, therefore he issued the following two orders: “... curses and abusive language are prohibited in Zagreb and those that ignore it will be sentenced to imprisonment of 6 hours to 14 days; and celebrating Sundays and holidays according to regulations is strictly ordered” (2) (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1.

Jelačić Square after 1880 earthquake.

These are notes on the conditions recorded 140 years ago. Currently, many things are different, with the exception of hoping that everything bad will go away, the life must go on; we all know it and believe that Zagreb will be rebuilt while preserving its religious and cultural monuments, its attractive and interesting streets, squares and residential areas.