The small town of Amatrice in central Italy was one of five towns to be destroyed when a 6.2 magnitude quake hit the area.

256 people are thought to be dead, although that number keeps growing, and over 1 000 displaced.

The powerful earthquake, which was followed by dozens of aftershocks – one measuring 5.5 – brought ancient buildings tumbling down in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

A small comune of 2 000 people, Amatrice has a long-standing history of both religion and food. According to News AU:

It was famous for its Gothic churches filled with frescoes and mosaics and for an iconic pasta dish that drew tourists from across the world. Over centuries it endured conquests and wars, as well as a devastating earthquake some 400 years ago. Last year it was named one of Italy’s most beautiful towns.

It was gearing up to host a festival this weekend to celebrate the pasta dish Sugo, or salsa all’amatriciana, based on guanciale (cured pork cheek), pecorino cheese, and tomato.

It is said that many of the Pope’s cooks through the ages have hailed from this small village.

Elements of the town date back as far as before the birth of Jesus, and the remains of Roman buildings and tombs have been found in the area.

The toughness of the Amatriciana people has been tested many times during the town’s long history. After the fall of the Roman empire, it was targeted by the Barbarians. In the 13th century, when it was part of the Kingdom of Naples, Charles of Anjou sent forces to Amatrice to brutally quash a local rebellion. The town battled with neighbouring towns over the centuries, and in 1529 it was badly damaged in an arson attack by the Spanish.

Although the region is prone to earthquakes, and Amatrice was severely damaged by one in 1639, yesterday’s devastation is said to have destroyed two thirds of the town.

Many people are still trapped under the rubble, but locals have high hopes in rescuing them as previous incidences like this have shown people can survive up to two days.

While most of the towns and communes are remote areas, locals are using farm tractors, tools, and their bare hands to remove rubble.

No one slept indoors last night.

[source: cnn&newsau]