After the restoration, many users noticed that the color and shape of the testicles looked much less distinct than before.
A recent restoration of the famous bull mosaic in Milan has sparked debate on social media, with many citizens and tourists claiming that the animal’s testicles, the most famous part of the mosaic linked to a long-standing tradition of good luck, have “disappeared” after the restoration. The photo published by Marco Granelli to announce the completion of the restoration at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II quickly became the subject of criticism and mockery, garnering hundreds of comments from social media users.
At the center of the controversy are the bull’s testicles, over which thousands of visitors perform a superstitious ritual every year. According to tradition, a person must place the heel of their right foot on this part of the mosaic and turn around three times to bring luck, success or fertility. This custom has become so well-known that even the famous actor George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney performed the ritual during a visit to Milan, attracting the attention of passers-by. After the restoration, many users noticed that the color and shape of the testicles seemed much less distinct than before. Comparative photos of the mosaic before and after the restoration quickly spread online, prompting ironic comments such as “Now the bull has become a cow?”, “Where have the attributes gone?” and “Restoration or patching?” Some also criticized the cost of the intervention, which amounted to about 5 thousand euros.
However, municipal authorities have clarified that the testicles have not been removed. According to them, the restoration has restored the original appearance of the mosaic using pieces of pink marble, similar to the original material of the work. In the previous restoration in 2017, a darker marble was used, which made these elements more visible. For this reason, many visitors have had the impression that they have disappeared, while in reality they have only returned closer to the historical appearance.
The bull mosaic is one of the most famous symbols of Milan and suffers constant damage due to the popular ritual. According to the municipality, in less than ten years the surface where visitors’ feet rest has worn away by about 2.5 centimeters, creating a hole where parts of the original marble have been continuously destroyed. This has made restorations necessary periodically to preserve the artwork. The tradition dates back to the end of 1877, a few days before the inauguration of the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery. At that time, the bull symbol represented the city of Turin, which was previously the capital of Italy. According to history, rolling on the bull’s testicles began as a form of mockery of the rival city, but over the years it has transformed into a popular ritual of good luck. Initially, the ceremony was performed at midnight on December 31, but today it is practiced all year round by tourists from all over the world.
The mosaic is currently covered and fenced off for the works, but is expected to be reopened to the public soon. The City of Milan has announced that it has no intention of stopping the famous ritual, despite the costs of the occasional restorations. The works were carried out by Gianluca Galli, a specialist with over twenty years of experience in the restoration of stone materials. While the controversy continues, one thing remains certain: the famous bull of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II continues to be one of Milan’s most beloved and photographed attractions.