"Rain of Tears" Palermo Jail

[seabreezes1]

Does anyone know anything about a tuberculous ridden Palermo jail from the 1870s known as the "Rain of Tears" or "Reign of Tears" -

Was this a jail for serious crimes only, or would have those who received or offered aid to the brigands also have been sent there?

Thank you.

[johnnyonthespot]

Does anyone know anything about a tuberculous ridden Palermo jail from the 1870s known as the "Rain of Tears" or "Reign of Tears" -

Was this a jail for serious crimes only, or would have those who received or offered aid to the brigands also have been sent there?

Thank you.

I believe Palermo's prison is known as Carcere dell'Ucciardone or Ucciardone Prison. Perhaps that would be a starting point for research.

Built in 1807 and still in use; there are many photos in Google's images library, http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&r ... CBsQsAQwAw

[seabreezes1]

Thank you. Where the "maxi trials" were - very interesting. I'm not connecting Ucciardone (thistle) to that nickname, and actually, I don't know if the Rain of Tears prison was actually in the city of Palermo or just the region. But I'll continue to research that avenue.

[johnnyonthespot]

I wonder if this is a case of mixed metaphors?

The phrase "Reign of Tears" seems to be associated with alcohol abuse and the Temperance/Prohibition movement.

By the way, I believe TB was a problem in many/most prisons. Relatively easily spread; prisons would be a perfect breeding ground for this disease.

[nazca]

hi Karen,
i look to my books about History of Palermo and i found some "lazaret" (like leper hospital). One of this was near the Ucciardone jail and the port of Palermo, but i can't find the words "Reign of Tears". Maybe is another lazaret/hospital : the ancient Hospital of Spasm (http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiesa_di_ ... _(Palermo) only in italian). Have you other informations to localize this hospital?

best regards

[seabreezes1]

Interesting - one of the plague hospitals. I've read about those, especially in Manzoni's "The Betrothed."

Although I have faith in both the family stories and the incarceration of the unfortunate couple, I can't be certain the nickname to the jail is accurate. This is something passed down from 150 years ago and could have got confused at some point. I know about Thistle Jail, Ucciardone, and think that could have been a likely destination for the murderers; although I hope not for the brigand collaborators. I hope there is a difference between committing murder and accepting a loaf of bread (shades of Les Miserable.)

BTW: I had a g-g-g aunt who was with Father Giacomo Cusmano, first as an orphan then as a sister, from 1873 onwards. As a member of "Boccone del Povero," working during the cholera epidemics, she would have been familiar with the Chiesa di Santa Maria dello Spasimo.

Thank you. There are many twists & turns, but always something interesting and new to learn!

[nazca]

Hi Karen,

there's another possibility: the ancient Jail of "Vicaria" . Before the construction of "Ucciardone" Jail, was the main jail of Palermo. It was too little for 1500 prisoners and the lived in inhuman state. Hunger, diseases,violence was normal condition. There was a little hospital for prisoners. For those was built the new Jail "Ucciardone" inspired by the jail of Philadelphia, PA. The ancient building of Vicaria Jail still exist but now is a governative building.
Are you sure about the word "rain=pioggia" or regno=reign,kingdom"
regards

[seabreezes1]

Hi -

Have no idea if it's Reign or Rain. My sources heard a double murder story as little girls about an in-law's family. The event would have taken place probably in the 1880s, but possibly as early as 1840...., don't have the exact identities (and won't pursue - it's a tragic story and don't want to upset descendants in that branch of the family). If I ever write a book (and I won't need to use much imagination at all with all the material I'm unearthing!) this story will find it's way into the fiction.

Ciao~