Widow's walk

A widow's walk (or watch) is a small platform with a railing on top of a house on coastal towns.

The street where I found my accommodation; notice the railing on top of the green house's tower.

The legend behind this architectural quirk is that sailor's wives would keep a watch for the return of their beloved on these platforms (or rich captain would watch for the return of the ships they have investments in). But apparently it's just inspired from the Italian architecture, where belvedere were an important finishing touch.

I prefer the legend.

(Wikipedia knows all about it: clic here.)