Legend of the Black Gorgo
Rikki Mitterer - CC4.0
The legend of the Black Gorgo tells of a bubbling pond of sulphurous waters used to settle disputes or to establish a truth.
According to legend, the pond was located outside the city walls of Piazza Armerina, in the plane currently between the Church of the Theatines and the Torre del Patrisanto.
When the pond was used to settle a dispute, the two litigants, to demonstrate their reason, they threw each a wooden tablet into the pond. If the tablet sank, whoever threw it was wrong, if it floated it was right.
The black eddy was also used by women who thought they were expecting a baby. These approached the pond and inhaled deeply: if they were hit by an illness or dizziness then they were certainly pregnant, otherwise they were not.
