Title: Milan Residents Amused by the 'Missing' Parts of Restored Bull Mosaic

Milanese citizens have expressed a mix of confusion and humor following the recent restoration of a renowned bull mosaic in the city. The controversy centers on the apparent disappearance of the animal’s "lucky charm" testicles, a feature that has become integral to a popular tourist ritual.

The repair work, initiated last week, was designed to fix a small depression created by visitors repeatedly grinding their heels into the mosaic. According to local councilor Marco Granelli, the restoration was "completely finished" over the weekend. This announcement triggered a wave of online reaction, with many social media users noting that the bull’s genitals seemed to have been erased. Some joked that the animal had effectively been "castrated."

The mosaic, located in the historic 19th-century Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II arcade, depicts a prancing bull framed by a coat of arms. Rendered in beige and blue tiles, the artwork symbolizes Turin, Italy’s first capital. For years, tourists have participated in a tradition of spinning their heels clockwise on the bull’s testicles three times. Local legend holds that this act ensures good luck and guarantees a return visit to the city. However, the popularity of the superstition had led to significant wear, resulting in the noticeable crater that necessitated repairs.

As artisan Gianluca Galli began the delicate process of restoring the floor, he worked inside a temporary enclosure, kneeling to cut new stone pieces by hand.

Despite the city council’s claim that the project was complete, officials later clarified that the work was actually ongoing. They explained that the mosaic remained partially covered to allow the colors of the new tiles to settle, and insisted that there had been no "disappearance" of the bull’s anatomy. The council stated that the pink marble used for the repairs was chosen because it most closely matched the original appearance of the mosaic. They further noted that a darker marble had been used in a previous restoration effort in 2017.

Master restorer Galli confirmed to the newspaper Corriere della Sera that he was not yet finished with the project. He added that he had received no complaints regarding his work, which he described as being carried out under the "watchful eye" of the municipal authorities.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-01 18:18:06 UTC