Going up via Crispi, near the Orco river, one can’t help but notice the “Sassone”, a large, 3-metre-long serpentine boulder originally from Val Malenco in Valtellina, having travelled about 80 km carried by the glacier. Approximately 10–12 thousand years ago, as the glacier gradually melted and retreated from the valley, now occupied by the lake, large quantities of gravel and boulders were slowly dragged down into the valley. The Orco torrent then began to carve its path, more or less aligning with its present course, causing occasional flooding in the lower part of the village. The higher part, on the other hand, was protected by the “sacred rock”, likely influencing the first settlements of Garlate and possibly chosen for the protection afforded by the rock ledge alongside the Crotto.
The “Sassone” probably held a religious-propitiatory function around 3–4 thousand years ago. This can be inferred by the small bowl-shaped depressions (cupels) atop the boulder, potentially used for pouring oil to feed the flame of a wick. These recesses may also have been used for various other ceremonies, possibly involving wine or other substances.
The boulder was positioned in such a way as to prevent the waters of the Orco torrent, swollen by rainfall, from flowing over the top part of the village, and remained in place until the construction of the existing concrete dam.
