Talk:Widow's walk

A cupola does not concern a widow's walk
A cupola does not concern a widow's walk
 * ...ok... Skiendog (talk) 19:00, 22 December 2010 (UTC)

widows walk vs widows peak
Am I the only one who has heard of a "widow's walk" being called a "widow's peak"? Like the hair-line? Skiendog (talk) 18:30, 3 May 2009 (UTC)


 * I've heard it, generally by people who abuse the English language in myriad ways :-) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.193.36.91 (talk) 04:52, 2 July 2009 (UTC)


 * I have not heard "Widow's Walk" too often. Generally by northerners who come as snowbirds, and bring their own language with them. Skiendog (talk) 22:31, 16 August 2009 (UTC)

Is this a widow's walk?
I took a picture of this feature in Ottawa which I've been told is a widow's walk, but after doing some googling, I'm not so sure. Is it? --Padraic 15:42, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

I would call this a balcony. A widow's walk is typically the flat section on top of a steep sloped roof and may (or may not) have railings. MLW —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.102.97.218 (talk) 15:48, 31 January 2008 (UTC)
 * seconded, that is a balcony. not a widow's peak/walk. Skiendog (talk) 18:32, 3 May 2009 (UTC)

To me, a Northerner, this (to the right) is what a widow's walk is, where-as a cupola is more often dome shaped. şṗøʀĸ şṗøʀĸ: τᴀʟĸ 01:50, 23 December 2010 (UTC)


 * And here on the St. Lawrence (Prescott, ON, Canada) we would generally call that a widow's peak. Although, based on the origin of the term, I would argue that it should be spelled "peek" as it is believed to come from the NE United States, specifically the New England region, as a lookout atop the house for wives to watch for their husbands returning as ships entered harbours and docked. 104.200.7.172 (talk) 17:57, 2 June 2023 (UTC)

Merge with Belvedere
Perhaps if this can't be expanded, merge with Belvedere page, and forward-link it or whatever...
 * please remember to sign your comments. I wouldn't argue that a Widows's Walk/Peak is a type of Belvedere, but the term Belvedere is much broader.  A Widow's Walk/Peak is a very specific type of structure.  Skiendog (talk) 18:44, 22 December 2010 (UTC)

Joseph Campbell mentions "widow's walk"
Just a quick note, not sure if this would serve as a reference or not, but Joseph Campbell mentions the "widow's walk" while discussing research for his book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces". —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.81.135.206 (talk) 14:05, 3 July 2009 (UTC)


 * ...Will keep it in mind, thank you. Skiendog (talk) 22:32, 16 August 2009 (UTC)


 * I don't want this mergered with Belvedere (structure) or with the other types of things under the general term of belvedere. şṗøʀĸ şṗøʀĸ:  τᴀʟĸ 01:50, 23 December 2010 (UTC)

What is to "orange the structure?"
In the sentence:

Beyond their use as viewing platforms, they are frequently built around the chimney of the residence, thus creating an easy access route to orange the structure.

What is "orange"? Is that a typo? What is the source of this statement? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.189.127.158 (talk) 04:26, 13 August 2009 (UTC)


 * The word "orange" was stuck in after the rest of the sentence was written. I've removed it.  tk tk  tk  23:26, 15 August 2009 (UTC)

Unclear wording
"The widow's walk is a variation of the Italianate cupola.[2] The Italianate cupola, also known as a "belvedere", was an important ornate finish to this style, although it was often high maintenance and prone to leaks.[3]"

I think one of these "cupola"s - probably the second - is possibly wrong? Don't know much about architecture but it reads very strangely to me as stands. It seems to be saying that a widow's walk is a kind of cupola, and a cupola is also known as a belvedere. If this is true, we don't need to be confused by a second name for cupolas. However, Cupola states that "Cupolas often appear as small buildings in their own right. They often serve as a lantern, belfry, or belvedere above a main roof." which means that a cupola and belvedere are not the same thing. Belvedere says "The actual structure can be of any form, whether a turret, a cupola, or an open gallery."

Basically it looks to me like the second sentence doesn't actually say much of use at present. If it's trying to demonstrate that widow's walks were not for observation of the sea, then I suggest something like:

''However, there is little or no evidence that widow's walks were intended or regularly used to observe shipping. Widow's walks or cupolas are a standard decorative feature of Italianate architecture, which was very popular during the height of the Age of Sail in many North American coastal communities. A viewpoint ("belvedere"), such as the widow's walk, was an important ornate finish to this style, although they were often high-maintenance and prone to leaks.[3]''

But I'm not an architect so leave the judgement to others. -- Shimmin Beg (talk) 15:17, 24 March 2014 (UTC)