Along Palermo’s waterfront, Foro Italico, stretches the long façade of Palazzo Butera. It is one of the city’s most beautiful and magnificent palaces, closely connected to many of Palermo’s noble families. The palace was heavily damaged during World War II. About ten years ago, however, it was purchased by a Milanese collector who gave it a second life. He restored both the building and its interiors, turning it into the home of his art collection. I once heard that after seeing Palazzo Butera for the first time, he decided to buy it simply to restore it and preserve its beauty.
If you look at the façade of Palazzo Butera, you’ll notice what appears to be a long terrace running along the entire length of the building. In reality, they are separate architectural elements, but this is the easiest way I can explain it. That long terrace is Passeggiata delle Cattive – the Walk of the Captives. It was created for widows, who were considered prisoners of mourning. In those days, women in mourning were not expected to enjoy the pleasures of everyday life, so they were given a separate terrace where they could take their walks. While the aristocracy strolled below on Foro Italico during the evening promenade, the widows walked above them.
Today, the name Passeggiata delle Cattive can be understood in two different ways. Cattive derives from the Latin word meaning “captives”, but in modern Italian it is understood as “bad” or “wicked”, making it sound like “the Walk of the Bad Women.”