Milan Begins Restoration of Galleria Bull Mosaic
Workers have placed barriers around the bull mosaic in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The city is repairing sections worn by decades of visitors spinning on the tiles. The work is scheduled to finish by the weekend.
EuronewsWorkers erected a protective barrier around the bull mosaic in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II this week. The city began restoring the artwork for the first time since 2017. The mosaic sits in the Octagon, the central crossroads of the 19th-century shopping arcade that links Piazza del Duomo with Piazza della Scala.
Built between 1865 and 1877, the Galleria features a glass roof, tile floors, and luxury stores.
Granelli said thousands of daily visitors have performed the heel-spinning ritual. The Galleria’s lucky spot has worn away over time. The project involves removing damaged sections, consolidating the surface, and installing replacement tiles. Work started earlier in the week and is expected to finish by the weekend.
The mosaic depicts the coat of arms of Turin, one of four city symbols on the Galleria floor. The heel-spinning tradition dates to before 1900, though its exact origin remains unknown.
