Messina, ITALY - Via Garibaldi - Ruins of the Prefect's Palace - Earthquake 1908:  The 1908 Messina earthquake (also known as the 1908 Messina and Reggio earthquake) occurred on 28 December in Sicily and Calabria, southern Italy with a moment magnitude of 7.1 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme). The epicenter was in the Strait of Messina which separates Sicily from the Italian mainland. The cities of Messina and Reggio Calabria were almost completely destroyed and between 75,000 and 82,000 people died. It was the most destructive earthquake ever to strike Europe.  On Monday 28 December 1908, at 5:20:27 an earthquake of 7.1 on the moment magnitude scale occurred.  Its epicenter was in the Strait of Messina which separates the busy port city of Messina in Sicily and Reggio Calabria on the Italian mainland. Its precise epicenter has been pinpointed to the northern Ionian Sea area close to the narrowest section of the Strait, the location of Messina.  It had a depth of around 9 km (5.5 miles).  The earthquake almost levelled Messina. At least 91% of structures in Messina were destroyed or irreparably damaged and 75,000 people were killed in the city and suburbs. Reggio Calabria and other locations in Calabria also suffered heavy damage, with some 25,000 people killed.  Reggio's historic centre was almost completely eradicated. The number of casualties is based on the 1901 and 1911 census data. It was the most destructive earthquake ever to strike Europe.  The ground shook for 37 seconds, and the damage was widespread, with destruction felt over a 4,300 km2 (1,700 sq mi) area.  This Divided Back Era (1907-15) postcard is in good condition.  Folootipia Alterocca. Terul  No. 2151.