Le streghe in Valgerola "Puzz di Strii" pozzo delle streghe.   It is located just after Sacco bordering the meadows of Morata, on the old road to Campione. Here, even in the Fifties and beyond, only by mentioning its name people got scared because was a meeting point of devils and witches (“strie”) which in their fests consumed rites of shameful brutality. The well that caused this fear is a rock that raises from the ground in the shape of a cup and in its cavity gathers rainwater. It’s still in the same place even if forgotten by the younger. To find out the reason for these fears, “la pura” (“fear” in local dialect), you must go back several centuries when the Valtellina people suffered harassment from powerfull authorities and from the clergy of that period, with the so called Inquisition. It was a dark time for a lot of innocent people who for heresy or witchcraft suffered trials and torture. These fears have come down to us, passing from father to son and in my youth, during the watches in the stable lighted by the “lum” (lamp powered with walnut oil), were told incredible stories of horror and fear. It’s therefore correct to mention precise facts. In 1400, in the province of Como, the Valtellina was part of it, with the approval of the bishop, there was a body of privileged and armed officers, which worked to find out the heretics. In the Dominicans cloister sited in Piazza S. Antonio, Morbegno, was based the court of the Holy inquisition. A certain Frà Antonio from Casale, in 1416 sent to trial a total of 300 persons who were all burned at stake. These trials were extended across the entire Valtellina and also the Valgerola was not spared. The historian G. Ripamonti, contemporary of Federico Borromeo, in the period when he was Cardinal (1560-1584), painted the countries of the Valtellina infected with heresy and witchcraft. The sin of heresy was very serious, but far worse was the plague of witchcraft and sorcery, which fell on poor populations in these dark ages, creating the fear that has reached our time. At the well of witches you can admire a vast and beautiful panorama. The view extends from the mountains of Tartano up to Dubino. You can follow the flowing of the Adda, the movements of the plain people, those of the Cech mountains and Albaredo. The cuts of hay and timber, the movement of cattle, the smoke of charcoal kilns were useful signals that gave the signal of works that were taking place also in the territory of the Sacco. Should not be underestimated the movement of troops of soldiers passing through the plains or excisemen arriving in the valley for the taxes collection. All of these components suggest that this area so interesting and lively, visually was opened to the curiosity toward outside world and also was a center for grazing in the woods and glades. The "Morata" is a name that says a lot about its meaning (“morata” comes from the word “innamorata” that means “lover”). Love or walk of lovers. It was not by chance that here Captain Brunoro of Fontanellato met Bona Lombarda who was grazing her sheeps. It is also said that in this place, while some ladies of Sacco were taking care of the sheeps, were sexually molested by a group of soldiers who were stationing in Morbegno. The householders of the country armed with pickes and forks went to Morbegno for a retaliation where some of these soldiers were killed. This shows that even at that time honor and good morals were considered important. The puzz de strii barely concealed by trees bordering the meadows of Morata is a nice "sitin" (in the Sacco dialect means little place of love), suitable for an encounter of love. The same rain that the well contains is the only one in the area and could be useful to wash briefly the body. These are the causes that have made this spot a meeting place of perdition and sin. The naming of "puzz de strii" is an example of how at that time the fanaticism and superstition was unleashed against innocent walks in this enchanting place, only because from there you could satisfy curiosity towards the outside world which in the village was not possible to see. Against these innocent people was unleashed the most violent repression up to to aberrant tortures and senseless trials. The origin of "pura" (fear) so dreaded was born here. Even today this place is a place of curiosity and an irresistible attraction for romantic walks.