Pianosa
 |
Pianosa and the Tuscan Archipelago. |
Pianosa is a small (about 10
km2) island in
Italy's
Tuscan Archipelago. The name is derived from the Italian word "pianura" (plain) because its highest point is some 22
meters over sea level. It was known as
Planasia in the ancient
Roman era.
Pianosa has no permanent residents. It is known in Italy for hosting a maximum-security prison, where especially dangerous
Mafia criminals are held. It is also historically significant for
Augustus banishing his grandson and ex-heir
Postumus Agrippa there in
6 or
7. Postumus remained there until his execution around the time of Augustus's death in
14.
For administration purposes, Pianosa is part of the
Elba island municipality. On clear days, it can be seen from that island as a dark blue line over the lighter blue sea.
In the
novel Catch-22, a
U.S. Army Air Corps bomber squadron is based on the island during
World War II, though author
Joseph Heller conceded that he took some literary license in making Pianosa big enough for a major military complex.
There is another, even smaller island called
Pianosa off the
Adriatic coast of Italy, due north of
Monte Gargano*
Tourist information
