One of the three-metre high ornaments had its arms completely broken off, while the other was also damaged.

The 39-year-old reportedly entered the cultural site and approached the candelabra before throwing them on the ground. It is not clear whether she had any motive for targeting the wooden ornaments, which date back to the 18th century.

Security officers at the site intervened and contacted police, who detained the woman.

She has been charged with aggravated damage to objects of cultural significance and faces a summary trial on Monday.

Italy is constantly trying to come up with new ways to deter vandals from damaging its priceless monuments. 

Earlier in the year, Culture Minister Dario Franceschini called for ramped-up punishments after two incidents at the Colosseum – a break-in and graffiti – over the space of one weekend.

His proposed measured introduced a specific offence for defacing or damaging cultural heritage or landscapes, and increased the punishment from a minimum of one year to a maximum of five years' imprisonment.

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