The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology says the epicentre was near Modena, 36km southwest of Parma, in northern Italy. A magnitude 5.1 quake was felt nearby on Wednesday.
Fear among the residents of the city, especially on the upper floors. Some problem was detected on the telephone network.
The seismographs have recorded three aftershocks magnitude 2.7, 3.2 and 2.0 earthquake. The epicenter was located near the first large shock. These shocks were not felt by the residents of Florence.