A powerful earthquake has struck Italy in the same central regions that have been rocked by repeated tremors over the past two months, with more homes and churches brought down but no deaths reported.

The quake on Sunday morning, which measured 6.6 according to the US Geological Survey, was bigger than one on August 24 that killed almost 300 people.

Many people have fled the area since then, helping to avoid a new devastating death toll.

#Norcia #Italy #Earthquake our wake up call this morning 10/30/16 pic.twitter.com/lhdV2b3k8J

— Steve Amann (@StvAma) October 30, 2016

The latest quake was felt across much of Italy with its epicentre close to the historic Umbrian walled town of Norcia, some 100 km from the university city of Perugia.

Panicked Norcia residents rushed into the streets and the town's ancient Basilica of St. Benedict collapsed, leaving just the facade standing. Nuns, monks and locals sank to their knees in the main square in silent prayer before the shattered church.

Italy's Civil Protection unit, which coordinates disaster relief, said numerous houses were destroyed on Sunday in the regions of Umbria and Marche, but either they were deserted at the time or most of the residents managed to escape beforehand.

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said Italy was living through extremely difficult times, but promised a massive reconstruction effort in the years ahead regardless of any possible objections from the European Union over the eventual costs.

"We will rebuild everything, the houses, the churches and the businesses," Renzi told reporters. "Everything that needs to be done to rebuild these areas will be done."

Experts said Sunday's quake was the strongest here since a 6.9 quake in Italy's south in 1980 that killed 2735 people.

A number of other churches were also ruined on Sunday, Italian media reported, including Norcia's Cattedrale di Santa Maria, which was built in the 16th century, while the town hall belltower had deep cracks running through its walls.

It was also felt strongly in the capital Rome, where transport authorities shut down the metro system for precautionary checks. Authorities also toured the city's main Roman Catholic basilicas looking for possible damage.

Italy sits on two geological fault lines, making it one of the most seismically active countries in Europe.