In Milan, people laughed at a castrated bull after the mosaic was restored

In Milan, people are discussing a curious incident involving the restoration of the “Furious Bull” floor mosaic, which became the subject of ridicule after the work was completed. After the image was restored, eyewitnesses note that one of the bull’s anatomical features disappeared, sparking a wave of jokes and criticism regarding the quality of the restoration. The incident is being actively discussed on social media and in local media.

This is reported by The Guardian.

The 19th-century mosaic in the "Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II" shopping arcade needed restoration because a small indentation had formed on the tiny pink tiles depicting the bull’s testicles due to the constant flow of tourists performing the heel-spinning gesture.

According to legend, placing your right heel on the bull’s testicles and spinning around three times brings prosperity—or at least guarantees a return to Milan.

The restored bull, a symbol of Turin—the capital of Italy at the time of its creation—reopened to visitors on Monday. However, visitors may have a hard time finding its testicles.

When Marco Granelli, a Milan city councilor, posted a photo of the restored mosaic on Facebook, praising the work done, the post sparked a flurry of mockery and criticism.

"Something is missing," noted one commenter, while another asked, "What happened to the testicles?"

Others wrote that the bull now resembles a male ox—oxen are usually castrated to suppress testosterone production—and some wondered if the bull had been “castrated” to deter tourists from performing the ritual.

The Milan City Council was accused of “censorship” and wasting public funds—the restoration reportedly cost 30,000 euros.

The Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery, built between 1865 and 1877 and located near the Duomo, is one of the oldest shopping arcades in the world.