Leaning Tower of Pisa, Colosseum Occupied by Italian Students

The Leaning Tower of Pisa and Rome's Colosseum were occupied by student protesters on Thursday. Pictured above, Tourists visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Cathedral in the 'Square of Miracle' August 24, 2002 in Pisa, Italy. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

Students occupied the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Colosseum on Thursday in a protest against spending cuts for Italy’s universities.

Plans from Berlusconi’s government to cut university funding by several billion by 2012 will weaken the quality of education in Italy, according to the students.

After occupying the Italian icons, student hung banners from the building while others guarded the entrances. In other places in Italy students occupied university buildings, disrupted public transport with protests and in some cases clashed with police.

The Italian government estimates the damage caused by student protests this week at 10 million euro ($13.3 million), according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

The student protests are adding to the problems of the already troubled Berlusconi government which has been plagued by scandals involving the prime minister and a weak economy. Berlusconi faces two votes of confidence on December 14.

In London, students took to the streets on Wednesday protesting massive hikes in tuition fees imposed by the government to deal with funding cuts to higher education.

The Colosseum in Rome was also occupied by student protesters.