Vho. An odd name indeed. It brings to mind an old black and white TV series of the 70’s, “Doctor Who” now a cult film niche. Science fiction at its best featuring an enigmatic character, a reality-transforming time-traveller cloaked within an aura of genuine mystery.
And the tiny hamlet of Vho in Vallespluga is no stranger to its very own enigma and fascination. Situated between Cimaganda and Campodolcino, nestling within a lush, peaceful plain and overlooked by austere, looming cliff-sides.
It’s right here you discover the “Scribàita”, an enormous geometric design carved in granite, which has never been fully understood or explained. Few even know how to actually find it. So - look on the right side of the mountain below the Stuzzo tunnel hidden behind dense shrub. Others have never even heard of it. But doesn’t that happen often enough – when things are not easily understood… they’re overlooked or even intentionally neglected.
At first glance it could be the work of aliens from outer space, guardians of a UFO randomly dropping in on Vho and leaving their bold rectangular mark using lasers.
Or a piece belonging to a more modern art form, an arrangement by Mondrian or Burri’s vast land art rather than that of a stonemason of times long ago.
Fascinating stuff at the very least. As is any indecipherable, cryptic and therefore secret masterpiece. Who did it? When? And why? Of course there’s always a local historian or two on hand to…. help.
“.. the first theory goes back to 1930 when prof. Ettore Ghislanzoni, archaeological superintendent for Lombardy/ Veneto considered it a work dedicated to a God, maybe Mitra in the 3rd/4th century. Others ventured aesthetic motives during the Roman era. And a much more recent dating is suggested by Prof. and local historian G. Scaramellini relating the testimony of one Gaudenzio De Pagave, Prefect of Sondrio in the early 19thC. claiming that it represented a plaque commemorating the construction of the newly opened Spluga carriageway…”
So much for the historians. Each to his own opinion. La Scribàita. Have a look for yourself. I favour the little green men.
