Pianosa is a small (about 10 km²) island in Italy's Tuscan Archipelago . The name derive from the Italian word "pianura" (plain), since its highest point is some 22 meters over sea level. It was known as Planasia in the ancient Roman era.

Pianosa has no stable residents. It is mildly famous 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 AD. Postumus remained there until his execution around the time of Augustus's death in 14.

For administration purpose, Pianosa is under Elba island municipality. On clear days, it can be seen from that island as a dark blue line over the ligher blue sea.

Some of the events from the book Catch-22 take place in this island, though Joseph Heller has said that he took some literary license in making Pianosa big enough for a major military complex.

External links

• touristic information