Italians bemused by Milan bull mosaic restoration

Italians have reacted with bemusement to the restoration of a famous bull mosaic in Milan, with some wondering what has happened to the animal's "lucky-charm" testicles.

Work to repair the small crater formed by tourists grinding their heels on the bull's private parts began last week and local Milan councillor Marco Granelli said over the weekend that the mosaic had been "completely restored".

This sparked much online commentary, with users saying the bull's testicles had been erased - some joking it appeared to have been "castrated".

In their defence, Milan's city council said the project - at the city's historic 19th-Century Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II arcade - had not been completed.

The beige and blue mosaic of a prancing bull surrounded by a coat of arms is meant to represent the city of Turin, which was the first capital of Italy.

The mosaic has become popular among tourists for a tradition in which people spin their heel clockwise on the bull's testicles three times.

The legend says that the practice brings good fortune and a return visit to those who partake in it, but it had also resulted in a small crater forming on the spot.

A small enclosure was erected as artisan Gianluca Galli began the restoration - kneeling before the mosaic as he cut new pieces of stone by hand.

Councillor Granelli's social media post was mocked by some online.

"What happened to the testicles?" asked one user, while another said, "Something's missing."

Milan's city council said the work was not yet fully completed, adding that the mosaic was still partially covered to allow the colours of the new tiles to settle.

It said that there had been no "disappearance" of the bull's testicles and the pink marble used for the restoration was considered the closest material to the work's original appearance.

The council added that a darker marble had been used in the mosaic's previous restoration, which was done in 2017.

Master restorer Galli told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera he was not finished yet, adding he had received no objections to his work, carried out under the "watchful eye" of the council.

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