The 19th-century bull mosaic located in Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is undergoing restoration after constant tourist heel-spinning wore down the pink tiles forming the bull's testicles, creating a small crater on the arcade floor [1, 2].
Tourists traditionally spin on their heel three times on the bull's testicles for good luck and to ensure their return to Milan, a ritual that has caused significant wear to the mosaic over time [1, 2]. The bull symbolized Turin, Italy's first capital, and is part of the decorated flooring of the historic arcade [1, 2].
Restoration work began on August 17 and continued on August 18, with artisan Gianluca Galli hand-cutting new stone pieces to repair the worn sections while visitors watched [1, 2]. Galli called the heel-spinning "probably a charming gesture, but also quite damaging for a work of art" [1, 2].
The mosaic’s last restoration took place in 2017 [1]. City councillors Emmanuel Conte and Marco Granelli highlighted the importance of care for the Galleria’s heritage. They said, "The Galleria is a living heritage, which can wear away precisely because it is loved and experienced: we take care of it so that it continues to be so" [1].
The restoration aims to repair the deteriorated mosaic while preserving the tradition that draws many visitors to the Galleria. Work is expected to continue until the mosaic is fully restored.
