The children boarded there had to live by a monastic rule . Over time , the house was transformed into a monastery open to youngsters from wealthy families . In 1705 , the church we see now was built using a design by Giuseppe Lucchesi . After the Irpinia earthquake of 1980 , the complex was abandoned and given to the Community of Sant ' Egidio . The church has a central Greek cross plan with a circular room , decorated in baroque style with Corinthian columns
Irpinia earthquake of 1980
1980 Irpinia earthquake
San Nicola a Nilo