Hundreds of demonstrators entered Rome’s Colosseum and confronted police at the landmark’s historic entrances over the weekend, as protests that began in France spread into Italy.
Many of the protesters were young and carried Palestinian flags. Inside the nearly 2,000-year-old amphitheater, they shouted and celebrated before security forces moved in to clear the site.
The confrontation was among several tense episodes reported across Italy on Saturday. Thousands took to the streets in Rome, Milan, Turin and other cities, protesting the rising cost of living as well as the continuing war in Gaza.
Security at the Colosseum had been strengthened ahead of the demonstrations after months of disorder involving tourists at the historic monument. Authorities designated the arena a security “red zone” last month.
A separate clash broke out near Piazza della Repubblica, where police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters, according to officials.
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In Milan, demonstrators left piles of manure outside the national energy regulator and set fire to an oversized electricity bill as they protested soaring household costs.
Several businesses boarded up their windows after looting in the city the previous week, when protesters were reportedly seen taking luxury items. Similar incidents had also been reported in France.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni dispatched roughly 500 soldiers to Milan to reinforce the 5,000 police officers already assigned to the area.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said the soldiers carried neither pepper spray nor Tasers. Their equipment was limited to plastic restraint ties for use in detaining unruly demonstrators.
Italy’s unrest follows demonstrations that erupted in France last month and have since spread to other parts of Europe amid mounting concerns over the region’s economic pressures.
Large protests were also reported in the capitals of Spain, Portugal and Albania.
