The monks originally occupied the Basilica of San Bendetto in the center of Norcia , built above the birthplace of Saint Benedict of Nursia and Saint Scholastica . The Basilica and Monastery were destroyed in October 2016 in an earthquake which damaged much of Norcia and the surrounding area . As a result , the monks relocated to the abandoned church of Santa Maria delle Grazie located on a hillside 1.6 miles ( 2.6 km ) west of the center of Norcia , where they have constructed temporary accommodations , and plan to construct a larger , permanent monastery in the near future
earthquake
October 2016 Central Italy earthquakes
Monastery of Saint Benedict (Norcia)