A historic bull mosaic located in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is undergoing a meticulous restoration process to repair damage caused by a long-standing tourist tradition. For generations, visitors have flocked to the 19th-century arcade to participate in a ritual that involves grinding their heels into the bull’s testicles and spinning three times, a gesture believed to bring good fortune and ensure a return to the city.

This constant friction from thousands of daily visitors has taken a significant toll on the artwork, resulting in a visible crater where the bull’s delicate anatomy is depicted. The pink tiles that form the mosaic have been worn down to the point of requiring professional intervention. City officials noted that the mosaic, which serves as a symbol of Turin, has become a victim of its own popularity, necessitating regular maintenance to preserve its structural integrity.

Restoration work began this week, with artisan Gianluca Galli carefully hand-cutting new stone pieces to replace the damaged sections. While the spinning ritual remains a beloved cultural quirk, experts emphasize that the physical impact of the tradition poses a genuine threat to the preservation of the historic site. The last major restoration of the mosaic took place in 2017, highlighting the ongoing struggle to balance the preservation of Milan’s living heritage with the high volume of foot traffic it attracts.