After the quake: Basilicas and churches in ruins

Many basilicas and churches in Italy have been destroyed by the earthquakes the country has suffered since August 24. 

With each quake, the fear of losing works with incalculable historical value rises. 

In fact, three churches only exist now as ruins. 

They are St Benedict, where only the facade has survived, St Francis, which is nearly completely destroyed, and the cathedral of St Mary of Argentea, which is demolished.

All of these are in Norcia, the epicentre of the last earthquake on October 30.

Tremors were also felt near the Vatican, which is evident on some of the columns on Via della Conciliazione, the main road in front of St Peter's Basilica. 

As a result, they have been fenced off because after the earthquake, they moved slightly.