In the late medieval period the village of Conio welcomed the richest and most powerful families, while in the surrounding countryside the farmers lived in poverty.
A local legend tells of a rich and beautiful girl who decided to help the poor peasants, drawing the contempt of the members of her class until she was named as a witch. One day, her body was found in the pond under the bridge with a note that said “io nego di essere una strega,” which translates to “I deny being a witch.” Hence the name of the bridge, “Lonega”, which roughly translates as, “she denies”.
Nadia Ventimiglia