The centuries‑old bull mosaic in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is being painstakingly repaired after a popular tourist ritual left a noticeable crater in the bull’s testicles. Visitors who spin three times on the bull’s groin for good luck have, over the years, worn away pink tiles, forcing city officials to launch a restoration project this week.

Artisan Gianluca Galli replaces pink tiles on the bull’s testicles

According to the report, Milan’s cultural heritage office hired mosaic specialist Gianluca Galli to hand‑remove the damaged stone and fit new pieces that match the original palette. galli told AFP that the ritual is “charming” but “quite damaging for a work of art,” emphasizing that each tile must be set with traditional techniques to preserve the 19th‑century aesthetic.

City councillors Emmanuel Conte and Marco Granelli cite 2017 restoration as last major work

Officials Emmanuel Conte and Marco Granelli noted that the mosaic last underwent a full restoration in 2017, and the current damage is unprecedented. They stressed that the Galleria remains a “living heritage” shaped by millions of annual visitors, and the city will fund the repair to keep the landmark intact for future generations.

Tourist spin tradition traced to soccer fans, now a global must‑do

The spinning custom, which involves grinding the heel of the right shoe into the bull’s groin and turning three times clockwise, is believed to have originated with local football supporters seeking luck before matches. over time, travel guides and social‑media posts turned the act into a rite of passage for tourists, resulting in thousands of spins each day,according to city statements.

Comparative cases: Dublin’s Molly Malone statue and broader heritage strain

As the article points out, Milan is not alone: Dublin recently deployed guards to stop visitors from touching the breasts of the Molly Malone statue after similar wear was documented... Both cases illustrate a growing tension between visitor experience and the preservation of historic art, a theme echoed in crowd‑control measures in Venice and Barcelona.

What remains undecided: signage or barriers to curb future spins?

City officials have hinted at installing a sign or physical barrier to deter the ritual, but no final decision has been announced. The uncertainty leaves tourists wondering how the beloved “good‑luck” gesture will evolve once the mosaic is fully restored.