Torino's Bull at the Gallery (to be squeezed), Milan

7 Reviews

Galleria
  Torino's bull
by Mikebond
  • Torino's bull
      Torino's bull
    by Mikebond
  • dad turning on the bull
      dad turning on the bull
    by Mikebond
  • The famous bull
      The famous bull
    by muratkorman
  • The bull
      The bull
    by Joeplaboem
  • Yes your heel in the mddle
      Yes your heel in the mddle
    by Joeplaboem
  • Group of Japanese tourists trying to turn 360°
      Group of Japanese tourists trying to...
    by tomerik
  • palle del toro, milano
      palle del toro, milano
    by Flamegirl
  • The Turin's bull
      The Turin's bull
    by Diana75
  • The Turin's bull
      The Turin's bull
    by Diana75
  • Mikebond's Profile Photo

    Turn around its genitals!

    by Mikebond Updated Aug 1, 2008 1099 reviews

    3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    Torino's bull
    1 more image

    This bull is depicted in the coat of arms of Torino. You see that there is a hole on its genitals and may wonder why. Well, a tradition says that if you put your right heel on this hole and turn on yourself three times, this will bring you good luck. In the second photo you see my father do it (unwillingly).
    Hundreds of tourists rotate around the bull's genitals every day, that is why the mosaic needs a lot of maintenance.

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  • ... but bull 'sqeezing' is a fake tradition !!!

    by Sidecarural Written Jun 7, 2008 1 reviews

    .. you will never see a 'milanese' squeezing the bull testicles!
    Check it out: turists from all around the world queing to squeeze the bull, but not one single local.
    This is simply a 'turist' tradition, reported on turist guides as a 'local secret tip'... which is simply not true.
    And true locals (the 'milanesi') consider a bit 'pathetic' those naive turists doing the bull testicle squeezing exercise....

    Ciao
    Luciano (Milan)

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  • muratkorman's Profile Photo

    Need a full turn

    by muratkorman Written Oct 8, 2007 842 reviews

    2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    The famous bull

    This famous bull mosaic located in Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele is said to make your wish come true if you make full turn over the balls with one foot. You can always catch some people making the famous turn over bull's balls. If you are there, give a try.

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  • Diana75's Profile Photo

    Galleria Vittorio Emanuele good luck bull

    by Diana75 Written May 26, 2006 1519 reviews

    4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    The Turin's bull
    1 more image

    Halfway down the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery are four floor mosaics representing Turin (the bull), Rome (the she-wolf and Romulus and Remus), Florence (the lily) and Milan (a red cross on a white background).

    Out of these four mosaics, the most famous is the one of the bull due to a Milanese tradition that is saying that if you turn quickly 3 times on your heel over the bull's testicles you attract good luck.

    A native told me that initially the story was talking about the bull's head, but, as now there is a deep depression in the floor on the bull's testicles, I think the head was not so successful after all.

    Related to:
    • Romantic Travel and Honeymoons
    • Arts and Culture
    • Road Trip
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  • Joeplaboem's Profile Photo

    Heel in the bull balls

    by Joeplaboem Written Sep 15, 2005 297 reviews
    The bull
    1 more image

    In the middle of the Gallery you will find mosaics on the ground. On the left side with your back to the cathedral you will find the bull.
    Put your heel in the bull's balls and make a full turn on your heel.
    Locals will tell you your sex life and potential will be higher now.

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  • tomerik's Profile Photo

    Squeeze the bull's balls

    by tomerik Written Apr 26, 2005 78 reviews

    3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    Group of Japanese tourists trying to turn 360��

    In the Galleria de Emmanuel Vittorio next to the Duomo there is a picture of a bull on the ground. Place your heel on the bull's balls, turn 360° around once, without tripping, while you make a wish. If you manage this your wish will be fulfilled so they say.

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  • Flamegirl's Profile Photo

    spinning on the bull's balls!

    by Flamegirl Updated Jul 20, 2004 112 reviews

    4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    palle del toro, milano

    There is a curious custom in Milan, if you are passing through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, that you should spin around on the testicles of the bull mosaic found in the centre. Legend has it that this will bring you good luck! Spot the tourists as they stand and watch and take pictures, whilst locals do it with casual style, simply swirling their foot on the required spot and continuing, as if nothing had happened...

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