| Native name: Isola di Pianosa | |
|---|---|
.jpg) west coast, Pianosa |
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Tyrrhenian Sea |
| Archipelago | Tuscan Archipelago |
| Area | 10 km2 (3.9 sq mi) |
| Country | |
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Italy
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| Region | Tuscany |
| Province | Livorno |
| Commune | Campo nell'Elba |
| Demographics | |
| Population | (uninhabited) |
Coordinates: 42°35′N 10°05′E / 42.583°N 10.083°E
The small island of Pianosa (about 10 km2 (3.9 sq mi) in area) forms part of Italy's Tuscan Archipelago. Its name expresses the idea of the Italian word pianura (plain): its highest point stands only about 22 m (72 ft) over sea-level. For administrative purposes, Pianosa forms part of the Elba island municipality. On clear days, Elbans can see Pianosa as a dark blue line over the lighter blue sea. Pianosa has no permanent residents, but was the site of a maximum-security prison (1858-1998) holding especially dangerous Mafia criminals.
The ancient Romans knew the island as Planasia. It became noted in history when the princeps Augustus banished his grandson and ex-heir Agrippa Postumus there in AD 6 or 7.[1] Postumus remained there until his execution around the time of the death of Augustus in 14.
Another, even smaller, island called Pianosa lies off the Adriatic coast of Italy, due north of Monte Gargano.
In popular culture
Joseph Heller's absurdist novel Catch-22 is set on a U.S. Army Air Corps bomber squadron base on Pianosa during World War II, but Heller conceded that he took some literary license in making Pianosa big enough for a major military complex. Heller's island also has a small community of Italian villagers, unlike the real island.
References
Notes
Sources
- This article incorporates material translated from the Italian Wikipedia
External links
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