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Century-old tradition wears down Milan's iconic bull mosaic
A beloved 19th-century mosaic in Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II has suffered significant wear after decades of tourists performing a superstitious ritual on its most delicate feature.
The legend and the damage
According to local folklore, visitors who grind their heel on the bull's testicles and spin three times are said to secure good fortune-and a guaranteed return to Milan. The tradition, popular since the 1800s, has left a visible crater where the mosaic's pink tiles once formed the bull's anatomy.
"Thousands perform this heel-spinning gesture daily," city officials stated. "The tiles representing the testicles are now nearly worn away."
A symbol of Turin in Milan's grand arcade
The beige and blue mosaic, depicting a prancing bull within a heraldic crest, represents Turin-the first capital of unified Italy. It occupies a central spot in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a historic 19th-century shopping arcade in Milan's heart.
Restoration underway
Work began this week to repair the damage, with a temporary enclosure shielding the site. Artisan Gianluca Galli was observed carefully cutting replacement stone pieces by hand as onlookers gathered nearby.
"It's a charming gesture, but it's also quite damaging to a work of art,"
Galli told AFP
Preserving a living landmark
City councillors Emmanuel Conte and Marco Granelli noted the last restoration took place in 2017. They emphasized the Galleria's role as a cherished public space that requires ongoing care.
"The Galleria is a living heritage-it endures wear precisely because it is loved. We maintain it so it can continue to thrive,"
Conte and Granelli said
