The Basilica of St. Benedict was built in the 14th century and had withstood the test of time until the 30th of October, 2016. On that day a powerful earthquake (6.6 on the Richter scale) hit the town of Norcia and destroyed the structure. The basilica was one of the most important spiritual sites in the region, but now only its medieval facade remains. Luckily, the monks escaped this disastrous event mostly unharmed, because after the deadly earthquake in August (which took nearly 300 lives) they had moved to a different monastery nearby.