The charm that still makes it an unpolluted and inspiring place is determined by its history. Pianosa, the «devil’s» island, will probably never go back to being a penal colony, but tourism will have to be extra controlled. Among the projects prescribed for a future that is probably still distant, there was that of a community of Benedictines of the Brotherhood of Jesus.
In that plan there were supposed to be, in Pianosa, activities of organic farming (with the monks), a scientific centre specialised in weather observation and «rationed» tourism. Also, according to the results of a recent all-encompassing study on the island carried out by the Province, the ideal daily presences should remain between 500 and 700 people, even if at the time of the jail they were around two thousand.
People’s presence should therefore be divided between the resident part (monks); one tied in with didactic activities (schools and a possible Livorno Mediterranean Museum); researchers and hotel related tourism integrated with the Elba system. Maximum stay on the island should not be beyond the week. Perhaps the right time to avoid getting bored, because to have a swim the only available place is «cala Giovanna», but you can practice wind surfing, underwater photography and guided terrestrial itineraries. Nothing else, besides admiring the beauty of so much unpolluted nature.
Extended over 1025 hectares with a coastal development of 26 kilometres, Pianosa, the name already presenting it, has no relief and is formed by marine sediments. The presence of the penal colony protected its jagged coasts, in which small sandy dents open up and are almost all unreachable from the land.
Since ancient history Pianosa was a land of passage, a connection between the continent and the Sardinia-Corsica massif. The island shows evidence of all ages. In the middle 1800’s it became a penal colony, then it was transformed in high security prison: during the years of the great fight against mafia, the most dangerous Cosa Nostra bosses were enclosed there, Totò Riina and below.
In 1998 the penitentiary was dismantled. Today access to the island is strictly limited. Guided visist have not been reinstated yet (a daily shuttle from Marina di Campo, 100 people max.) which last year proceeded very well.
There is only way to get to the island: the Toremar motor ship departing from Porto Azzurro on Tuesdays at 9,45 and leaving from the Island dock at 1,45 pm.
Booking is required, for a maximum of 200 people, at the agency Arrighi in Porto Azzurro.
Tickets cost 12 euro, return, plus a 5 euro contribution to the Park Organization for the protected area.
April.2002
National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago
APT of the Tuscan archipelago
Livorno Province
Arrighi Porto Azzurro Agency
Arrighi e-mail
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