A large fire destroyed almost the whole town in 1496.

In 1797, a large fire destroyed almost the entire town.

Another major fire in September 1959 came close to destroying the town.

A second fire in 1869 destroyed practically the entire town.

By the end of the 19th century to big city fires destroyed the town completely.

A fire in 1912 destroyed half the town, which was never rebuilt.

Before the war ended the Iraqis moved in on the ground and completely destroyed the town.

On May 28, 1621 a huge fire destroyed the town, but it was quickly rebuilt and by 1667 became a seat of local administration.

"We want a certain amount," she said, "but not so much as to destroy the town."

This led to attacks by the Portuguese, who destroyed the town in 1468.