Milan’s Iconic Bull Mosaic Undergoes Restoration, Sparks Public Outcry Over ‘Missing’ Testicles
Milan, Italy – May 31, 2026 – A recent restoration of the celebrated bull mosaic in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II has stirred considerable controversy among Milanese residents and tourists alike. The focal point of the debate centers on the bull’s testicles, a crucial element in a long-standing good luck ritual, which many believe have disappeared or been significantly diminished after the renovation.
The restoration, announced by Councillor Marco Granelli on social media, was intended to revitalize the mosaic, which has suffered significant wear and tear over the years due to millions of heels twisting on the spot. However, the announcement quickly backfired, attracting hundreds of comments and a wave of mockery, with users questioning the quality of the restoration and the perceived alteration of the bull’s anatomy.
The Tradition of the Bull and its Testicles
The ritual, dating back to 1877, involves spinning three times on the bull’s testicles with one’s right heel, believed to bring good fortune or fertility. This tradition has become a beloved symbol of Milan, attracting thousands of tourists annually, including celebrities such as George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin, who performed the ritual just three months ago to the delight of onlookers.
The constant friction from this ritual has caused significant damage to the mosaic. In less than ten years, the area depicting the testicles had sunk by approximately 2.5 centimeters, with the original pink marble tesserae literally pulverized. The city council is regularly forced to carry out restoration work due to this continuous wear.
Controversy Erupts on Social Media
Images comparing the mosaic before and after the restoration quickly circulated online, fueling the public’s discontent. Comments ranged from accusations of censorship and poor workmanship to humorous remarks such as, “Why has the bull become an ox?” and “The restoration made the attributes disappear.” Critics also questioned the 5,000 euro investment for what some described as a “mediocre patch-up with wrong colors.”
The average tone of the comments reflected strong disapproval: “A fluid bull, a sign of the times”; “The censorship of underwear on statues”; “a mediocre patch-up with wrong colors.”
City Council’s Response: Restoration to Original Appearance
In response to the backlash, the Milan City Council clarified that the bull’s attributes are indeed still present and have been restored using pink marble tesserae, aiming to restore the mosaic to its original color. They explained that a previous intervention in 2017 had used darker marble due to the unavailability of the original Asiago marble. This latest restoration, performed by Gianluca Galli, a stone material restorer with twenty years of experience, sought to correct that discrepancy.
The council emphasized that the aim was to bring the mosaic back to its original appearance, and that the perceived ‘disappearance’ was due to the use of lighter, more delicate colors that match the initial design, rather than a deliberate removal of the features.
Future of the Ritual and Tourism
Despite the ongoing debate, the mosaic remains cordoned off and covered but is expected to be accessible within a few days for those seeking luck or simply amusement. The City Council has no intention of prohibiting the popular ritual, even though it necessitates periodic maintenance costs.
The tradition of the bull, a symbol of Turin (the former capital of Italy), in the blue field of the House of Savoy, originated as a playful jab at the Savoyard city. Initially, the good luck ritual was meant to be performed at midnight on December 31st. Over the decades, its popularity has surged, especially among tourists, making it a constant challenge for the city to maintain the mosaic.
This incident highlights the delicate balance between preserving historical art and accommodating popular cultural traditions, particularly in a city heavily reliant on tourism. As Milan continues to attract millions of visitors, such challenges are likely to become more frequent.
