From devastation to rebirth: 9 years after the earthquake, the Basilica of Benedetto di Norcia reopens

Today, 31 October, Norcia will experience a historic moment with the reopening of the Basilica of San Benedetto, which collapsed exactly eight years ago during the devastating seismic shock of 30 October 2016. That day the earthquake crumbled the church built on the remains of the birthplace of the saint and his sister Scholastica. 80% of the monument was destroyed, while only the facade and a few other elements remained standing.

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The solemn ceremony for the reopening

The reopening ceremony will be held at 4.30 pm with a solemn mass presided over by the archbishop of Spoleto-Norcia, Monsignor Renato Boccardo. The bishops of Umbria, various abbots of Italian Benedictine abbeys and the Primate of the Benedictine Confederation Jeremias Schröder will participate. Among the authorities expected there will be the Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida and the Vice President of the European Parliament Antonella Sberna. During the celebration, the new hymn to San Benedetto, composed by Monsignor Marco Frisina, will be performed for the first time.

Archbishop Boccardo underlined the profound meaning of this reopening: “Rediscovering this monument would be a small thing if it were not inhabited by a living Christian community. Churches are useful when they are lived by believers, who in listening to the Word and in the Eucharistic Bread find the strength to announce the presence of the Lord in daily life”. The prelate highlighted how the basilica re-proposes the message of Saint Benedict with its “Ora et labora”, capable of uniting different people towards a common goal.

Four years of work between philology and technology

Reconstruction work began on December 16, 2021 and was completed in less than four years. The building was rebuilt with extreme philological attention: each recovered brick was cataloged and relocated to its original position. At the same time, the best available anti-seismic technologies have been integrated to ensure the safety of the structure. The intervention cost 15 million euros, financed by the 2016 Earthquake Reconstruction Office, the Umbria Region and Eni. The Ministry of Culture, through the competent Superintendencies, oversaw the planning and followed the works.

Reconstruction Commissioner Guido Castelli sees this milestone as a symbol of hope: “Art, memory, spirituality and culture have resurrected with the basilica of the Patron Saint of Europe. We can look with greater confidence at everything that is still missing to give life back to Central Italy wounded by the earthquake”. Castelli also announced the ambitious project to nominate Norcia for European Capital of Culture in 2033, as a symbol of the Apennine civilization and its Christian roots.

A symbol of rebirth for the entire territory

Inside the basilica there will be the image of Our Lady of Sorrows, much venerated in Norcia, and the reliquary of San Benedetto, protected by a shrine and a video surveillance system. The reconstruction is also progressing for other buildings: in Norcia over 730 families have returned to their homes, numerous commercial activities have reopened and work continues on the co-cathedral of Santa Maria Argentea.

In the seismic crater, 12 thousand construction sites have been closed, another 9,500 are still active and 7 billion euros have been paid for private reconstruction. The reopening of the basilica represents a fundamental moment for all of Europe, where San Benedetto is the patron saint and symbol of spiritual and cultural rebirth.