Pianosa
Encyclopedia
The small island of Pianosa (pjaˈnoːsa), about 10.25 km² (4 sq mi) in area, forms part of Italy
's Tuscan Archipelago
. Its name comes from the Italian pianura (plain). Its highest point stands 22 m (72.2 ft) above sea level. Pianosa is part of the Elba
island municipality. On clear days, Elbans see Pianosa as a dark blue line over the lighter blue sea. Pianosa was the site of a maximum-security prison (1858–1998), in later years holding especially dangerous Mafia
criminals, although the island is not now inhabited for the whole year. It is part of the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago. It is a Marine Protected Area — no fishing, diving or anchoring is allowed without special permit. During tourist season it is connected by boat to Elba. Cell phones do not work on the island.
s' Planasia had buildings including a theater and catacombs on two levels. It was extensively cultivated by the Romans. It became noted in history when the princeps
Augustus
banished his grandson and ex-heir Agrippa Postumus
there in AD 6 or 7. Postumus remained there until his execution around the death of Augustus in 14. In the Middle Ages the island's ownership was disputed by Pisa
and Genoa
. In 1399, it became part of Piombino. There were small colonies during fishing season in the following centuries, as well as several military strongholds. Although 18th century documents report that it was once densely wooded, humans and the animals they brought have destroyed the trees on the island, which is now largely grassland.
'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 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.
Heller's bomber squadron, the 488th Bombardment Squadron
, was based for a time in the Foggia Airfield Complex
on the Adriatic coast. A second, much smaller island, also called Pianosa, is just off this part of the Italian coast. Although the larger Pianosa is best placed for the missions described in the novel, such as those to Avignon
and Bologna
, it is likely that Heller first heard the name in connection with the smaller island.
.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
's Tuscan Archipelago
Tuscan Archipelago
The Tuscan Archipelago is a chain of islands between the Ligurian Sea and Tyrrhenian Sea, west of Tuscany, Italy.The archipelago contains the islands of Gorgona, Capraia, Elba , Pianosa, Montecristo, Giglio, and Giannutri; all of which are protected as part of the Tuscan Archipelago National...
. Its name comes from the Italian pianura (plain). Its highest point stands 22 m (72.2 ft) above sea level. Pianosa is part of the Elba
Elba
Elba is a Mediterranean island in Tuscany, Italy, from the coastal town of Piombino. The largest island of the Tuscan Archipelago, Elba is also part of the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago and the third largest island in Italy after Sicily and Sardinia...
island municipality. On clear days, Elbans see Pianosa as a dark blue line over the lighter blue sea. Pianosa was the site of a maximum-security prison (1858–1998), in later years holding especially dangerous Mafia
Mafia
The Mafia is a criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid-nineteenth century in Sicily, Italy. It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct, and whose common enterprise is protection racketeering...
criminals, although the island is not now inhabited for the whole year. It is part of the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago. It is a Marine Protected Area — no fishing, diving or anchoring is allowed without special permit. During tourist season it is connected by boat to Elba. Cell phones do not work on the island.
History
The island was first inhabited in the Upper Palaeolithic (the Late Stone Age). The ancient RomanRoman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
s' Planasia had buildings including a theater and catacombs on two levels. It was extensively cultivated by the Romans. It became noted in history when the princeps
Princeps
Princeps is a Latin word meaning "first in time or order; the first, chief, the most eminent, distinguished, or noble; the first man, first person."...
Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
banished his grandson and ex-heir Agrippa Postumus
Agrippa Postumus
Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa Postumus , also known as Agrippa Postumus or Postumus Agrippa, was a son of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Julia the Elder. His maternal grandparents were Roman Emperor Augustus and his second wife Scribonia.Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa Postumus was born on June 26, 12 BC, the...
there in AD 6 or 7. Postumus remained there until his execution around the death of Augustus in 14. In the Middle Ages the island's ownership was disputed by Pisa
Republic of Pisa
The Republic of Pisa was a de facto independent state centered on the Tuscan city of Pisa during the late tenth and eleventh centuries. It rose to become an economic powerhouse, a commercial center whose merchants dominated Mediterranean and Italian trade for a century before being surpassed and...
and Genoa
Republic of Genoa
The Most Serene Republic of Genoa |Ligurian]]: Repúbrica de Zêna) was an independent state from 1005 to 1797 in Liguria on the northwestern Italian coast, as well as Corsica from 1347 to 1768, and numerous other territories throughout the Mediterranean....
. In 1399, it became part of Piombino. There were small colonies during fishing season in the following centuries, as well as several military strongholds. Although 18th century documents report that it was once densely wooded, humans and the animals they brought have destroyed the trees on the island, which is now largely grassland.
In popular culture
Joseph HellerJoseph Heller
Joseph Heller was a US satirical novelist, short story writer, and playwright. His best known work is Catch-22, a novel about US servicemen during World War II...
's absurdist novel Catch-22
Catch-22
Catch-22 is a satirical, historical novel by the American author Joseph Heller. He began writing it in 1953, and the novel was first published in 1961. It is set during World War II in 1943 and is frequently cited as one of the great literary works of the twentieth century...
is set on a U.S. Army Air Corps
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
bomber squadron base on Pianosa during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, but Heller conceded that he took 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.
Heller's bomber squadron, the 488th Bombardment Squadron
488th Bombardment Squadron
The 488th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 340th Bombardment Wing, stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.. It was inactivated on 1 September 1963-History:...
, was based for a time in the Foggia Airfield Complex
Foggia Airfield Complex
The Foggia Airfield Complex was a series of World War II military airfields located within a radius of Foggia, in the Province of Foggia, Italy...
on the Adriatic coast. A second, much smaller island, also called Pianosa, is just off this part of the Italian coast. Although the larger Pianosa is best placed for the missions described in the novel, such as those to Avignon
Avignon
Avignon is a French commune in southeastern France in the départment of the Vaucluse bordered by the left bank of the Rhône river. Of the 94,787 inhabitants of the city on 1 January 2010, 12 000 live in the ancient town centre surrounded by its medieval ramparts.Often referred to as the...
and Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
, it is likely that Heller first heard the name in connection with the smaller island.
Another island called Pianosa
Another, even smaller, island called Pianosa lies off the Adriatic coast of Italy, north of Monte GarganoMonte Gargano
Gargano is a historical and geographical Italian sub-region situated in Apulia, consisting of a wide isolated mountain massif made of highland and several peaks and forming the backbone of the Gargano Promontory projecting into the Adriatic Sea. The high point is Monte Calvo at . Most of the upland...
.