The quake occurred at a depth of eight kilometres and its epicentre was four kilometres away from Norcia, in the region of Umbria.
The earthquake, which was felt faintly in some northern Rome districts, was followed by up to 38 aftershocks, according to local media.
There have been no reports of casualties or structural damage.
The quake struck the same region that was devastated by deadly earthquakes in 2016 and 2017.
Locals are on edge, hoping that this isn’t the first of a chain of earthquakes in the already vulnerable area.
