Protest shuts down popular Rome museums

Rome: Some of Rome's most visited museums shut down on Friday as ticket-booth workers and security guards staged a protest amid fears of job cuts.

Zetema, the company that manages museums in Rome, said the protest left several museums and monuments closed to visitors.

Spokeswoman Giusi Alessio said the protest affected the Capitoline Museums and the Ara Pacis Museum. However, the Colosseum is open because it is managed directly by Italy.

The workers called Friday's protest amid fears of job cuts when the municipality did not renew some contracts expiring in December.