The Witches' Well near <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh_Castle" class="extiw" title="en:Edinburgh Castle">Edinburgh Castle</a> on the Esplanade.
<p>A cast iron wall fountain commemorates that here over three hundred women were burned at the stake accused of being witches.
</p><p>In the 16th Century more witch burnings were carried out at Castle Hill than anywhere else in Britain. The victims often suffered brutal torture before being put to death at the stake. They were often nearly drowned by being 'douked' in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nor_Loch" class="extiw" title="en:Nor Loch">Nor Loch</a> (now <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princes_Street_Gardens" class="extiw" title="en:Princes Street Gardens">Princes Street Gardens</a>).
The plaque reads:
"This Fountain, designed by John Duncan, R.S.A.
</p>
Is near the site on which many witches were burned at the stake. The wicked head and serene head signify that some used their exceptional knowledge for evil purposes while others were misunderstood and wished their kind nothing but good. The serpent has the dual significance of evil and wisdom. The Foxglove spray further emphasises the dual purpose of many common objects."
<a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:AdMeskens" class="mw-redirect" title="User:AdMeskens">Ad Meskens</a>
CC BY-SA 3.0
<span class="int-own-work" lang="en">Own work</span>