PIANOSA
The island of Pianosa is located in the Tuscan Archipelago and is the only one of the islands with flat land. Pianosa has a triangular shape, its coastline is both rocky, and sandy, so there is something for everyone. The island has been inhabited since prehistoric times and there are traces of human activity since the Palaeolithic period. During Roman times the island was used for deportees and there are ruins of a Roman villa called Villa di Agrippa and a system of catacombs on the island.
In the mid-1800s a penal colony was established in Pianosa so the island was populated with convicts who came to work in the fields. During the Fascist era the prison was active and was transformed into a maximum-security prison in 1968 and the remaining population on the island was evacuated. In 2011 all prison activities were ceased making it possible for tourists to visit the island in small groups to enjoy the beautiful beaches until 17:00.
Places to visit
The island has one hotel that can accommodate up to 10 people. There are some beautiful towers and forts to visit such as Forte del Marchese, Forte Teglia, Torrette di Pianosa, Torre di Babele, the Roman Villa, the old port and the Chapel of San Giovanni Battista. One of the best beaches is Cala San Giovanni, a white sandy beach from which you can see the ruins of the Roman villa.