Rome’s finest have intervened. The ancient mosaic of the ‘Lucky Bull’ in the Roman Forum has been restored. Why? Because tourists kept rubbing its testicles. For good luck, they said.
For decades, the bronze bull has stood in the Forum. A symbol of strength and prosperity. But tourism took its toll. Hands, coins, even selfie sticks wore down the bronze. The testicles became shiny, almost smooth. Officials realised: too much luck.
‘It was a matter of conservation,’ said Dr. Valeria Rossi, chief archaeologist. ‘People touched it constantly. The patina was gone. We had to act.’
So they did. A team of restorers spent three weeks rebuilding the bull’s nether regions. New bronze, carefully aged. A protective barrier has been added. No more touching.
‘We are not against superstition,’ added Rossi. ‘But the mosaic is fragile. We must preserve it for centuries, not just for selfies.’
Does the ban work? Tourists are restless. I saw a woman try to reach over the barrier. A guard stopped her. ‘It’s just a bull,’ she muttered. But it’s not just a bull. It’s history.
The restoration cost €50,000. Funded by the culture ministry. Critics say it’s frivolous. Supporters say it’s necessary. I say: the bull has been there since 123 AD. It deserves respect.
Now the bull stands, testicles intact. Glowing with new bronze. Tourists can look but not touch. The lucky charm is safe. For now.
The question remains: will the tourists obey? Rome’s guards are watching. Touching the bull now means a fine. A steep one. €400 for first offence. That’s bad luck indeed.
So the bull is restored. The tourists are thwarted. And the ancient mosaic lives on. For how long? That depends on our discipline. But for now, the bull’s testicles are off limits. And that’s the end of it.
