February 4, 1169

This date was the end for 15,000 to 25,000 people as a result of the earthquake in eastern Sicily and Calabria on the eve of the Feast of St. Agatha. Measuring 6.4 to 7.3 on various earthquake scales, this major temblor completely destroyed Catania, Lentini, and Modica, and was felt from Messina to Syracuse in Sicily and on the Calabrian peninsula. The quake triggered a tsunami on Sicily's eastern shore that moved large boulders and furthered the destruction. This large earthquake followed a period of increased seismic activity along the junction of the African plate and Eurasian plate. Fatefully, Sicily sits atop this junction. Some say the quake cause Mt. Etna to erupt, but more recent scholars say it didn't. Notably, the Cathedral in Catania collapsed, killing Bishop John of Ajello (Aiello) and 44 monks who had gathered for the feast day along with almost the entire population of the city. In the aftermath of the quake, officials feared that the exiled Tancred of Lecce and the Byzantines might capitalize on the situation with an invasion. Tancred, however, was allowed to return to Sicily and no invasion occurred. He went on to become king from 1189 to 1194. The poet Peter of Blois described the earthquake as Sicily's punishment from God for replacing his brother William of Blois as bishop of Aiello with John. John assumed the see in 1167 and died in the collapse of the cathedral.