Following Wednesday’s devastating 6.2 magnitude Earthquake in central Italy, the country’s culture minister Dario Franceschini has pledged funding from national Museum ticket sales on 28 August to help victims of the natural disaster.

To date the earthquake has claimed more than 250 lives, with the death toll expected to rise in the coming days. Following the incident, Franceschini made the funding pledge, urging Italians to rally to their country’s museums as a demonstration of solidarity for those in the worst hit areas.

In addition to loss of life, a number of historic Italian buildings and their contents were either damaged or destroyed in the quake, with the region famous for its churches and monuments. According to Franceschini, all of the 293 designated culturally important sites in the region have either collapsed or been seriously damaged.

Among these sites Amatrice, recognised as one of Italy’s most beautiful towns, was badly hit, with half the town destroyed, including the 15th century Sant’Agostino church, which has collapsed.

In Norcia, the birthplace of St Benedict, many historic buildings are also feared damaged or destroyed, such as the 12th century basilica built on the foundations of St Benedict’s house. Other buildings identified as at risk or destroyed include a museum housed within a medieval fort, parts of the St Augustine Church and the Roman walls which circle the town.

Commenting on damage to culture, Franceschini said that while saving lives and helping the homeless is currently the top priority, there will be a meeting next week to assess the scale of cultural damage and to come up with an action plan to save as much of it as possible.