Graffiti removal speed in Milan: Galleria cleaned in 24 hours, San Lorenzo neglected for months

In Milan, graffiti on the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele were removed within 24 hours, while the Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore remains defaced for months. The Galleria, a 19th-century shopping arcade, was cleaned quickly after a viral video sparked media outrage. In contrast, San Lorenzo, one of the world's most important churches dating to the late 4th century and a UNESCO-level cultural heritage site, has been covered in obscene graffiti for years without intervention from the Comune, Diocesi, or Soprintendenza. The surrounding area, including the historic Porta Ticinese and the park, is also neglected. The author, Massimiliano Tonelli, questions the criteria for rapid response, suggesting that social media visibility drives action rather than cultural significance.