On the morning of September 26 , 1997 , two earthquakes hit that region of Italy in rapid succession , registering 5.6 and 6.1 respectively on the Richter Scale . There was widespread devastation and many ancient buildings were destroyed or damaged . While a group of specialists and friars were inspecting the damage to the Basilica of Saint Francis , an aftershock shook the building , causing the collapse of the vault . Two Franciscan friars who were among the group and two of the specialists were killed . Much of the cycle of frescoes of the life of Saint Francis by Giotto in the Upper Church of the Basilica were slightly damaged whereas those of the sections of the vault which collapsed were almost entirely destroyed . The church was closed for two years for restoration . The collapse was captured on tape
earthquakes
1997 Umbria and Marche earthquake
Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi