Alcatraz Island, USA

2.4 km off the coast of San Francisco, California, is a small island covering 8 ha. It is shrouded in the halo of legend because of the Alcatraz prison, which housed some of the greatest criminals of the 20th century.

The island got its name in 1775, after its discovery by the Spanish traveller Juan de Ayala, who called it La Isla de los Alcatrazes, or the Island of the Pelicans, as there were many of these birds here. Moreover, "alcatraz" translated from Spanish means "pelican". A lighthouse was built on this desolate, rocky spot in 1885, necessary to guide the many traveling ships to the newly discovered land. At the same time, the US military estimated that the island could be turned into a military fortification. Many buildings and structures were constructed, which were later used to hold prisoners. By 1912, a large building with cells was built on the island, which by 1920 was already full. In October 1933, the U.S. Department of Justice obtained the island from the military and by August 1934, it was converted to a federal prison with a particularly harsh regime.

In the years that followed, Alcatraz Prison became a place where some of the most hardened criminals served their sentences. Al Capone, one of the major drug lords convicted of unpaid taxes, resided at Alcatraz from 1934 to 1938, and was then transferred to another prison. On his cell No. 181, there is a plaque with his name. Al Capone was a colorful personality who loved music, entertained his cellmates, and even wrote the song "Madonna Mia," which became a hit. He died of pneumonia at his Palm Island estate, on January 25, 1947. Another famous personality was Robert Stroud, who spent 50 years in prisons, including 15 years in Alcatraz. They call him "The Runner of Alcatraz" because while in prison he wrote a book about birds that was sold in shops on the island, along with various souvenirs.

The prison is famous for 14 escape attempts involving 34 inmates, the most daring of which was by Frank Morris and John and Clarence Anglin in 1962. They dug a hole in the ventilation shaft and made stuffed animals using hair from barber's haircuts, soap and powder particles. This is how they managed to fool the guards and reach the ocean waters. They are presumed to have drowned, but their fate is mysterious as their bodies have not been found.

In 1964, the prison was officially closed at the urging of Robert Kennedy, Attorney General and brother of President John F. Kennedy. In fact, on March 21, 1963, the last 27 prisoners left Alcatraz.

After much debate, Alcatraz, one of the most notorious and sinister prisons, was granted National Historic Landmark status in 1986. The island is accessible by boat or ferry. The prison is visited by 1.4 million tourists annually. The lighthouse on the island is also an interesting destination, and the panoramic view from it is impressive. The pelicans that continue to inhabit this small island are a beautiful addition to the poor vegetation of Alcatraz.