The restoration of a 19th-century floor mosaic in Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade has been ridiculed after the bull's testicles appeared to have been erased. The mosaic, known as the Rampant Bull, underwent repairs due to wear and tear from tourists performing a heel-spinning ritual on the bull's testicles, which legend says brings prosperity or a return visit to Milan.
When Milan councillor Marco Granelli shared a photo of the refurbished mosaic on Facebook, praising the work, the post was met with mockery. Commenters noted the missing testicles, with one asking, 'What happened to the testicles?' Others suggested the bull now resembled a male ox, implying it had been 'castrated' to deter the ritual.
The restoration cost €30,000 (£26,000), leading to accusations of wasting public money and censorship. Some also pointed out other imperfections, such as mismatched tiles. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, built between 1865 and 1877, is one of the world's oldest shopping arcades.
Granelli defended the arcade as 'a living heritage site which can wear out easily precisely because it is loved and frequented.' Similar issues have affected other Italian attractions, such as the bronze statue of Juliet in Verona, which has been restored twice due to tourists touching it for luck in love.
