The most famous prison islands. Gorgon Island: "The Abode of Poisonous Reptiles

A Norwegian paradise for prisoners, the place where the hero of the novel "The Count of Monte Cristo" served his sentence, prisoner winemakers - all this and much more in a selection of the most famous prison islands in the world.

12 km from Cape Town is an island that is listed world heritage UNESCO.

However, there are no ancient ruins or unique buildings on Robben, except for the gloomy prison building in which the museum now operates.

The former prison is notable for the fact that during the years of apartheid, numerous political prisoners languished behind bars, among whom the first black president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela (from 1962 to 1990), served his 28-year term.

Today this prison has become museum complex where there are regular tours.

Gorgona is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, part of the Tuscan archipelago.

In a maximum security colony, the Gorgon grape variety is grown for the Marchesi de Frescobaldi winery with a 700-year history. An unusual "collaboration" began last year. Almost 3,000 bottles were produced from the first harvest.

It is noteworthy that this project was partially funded by the Ministry of Justice, and after the “winemakers” serve their sentence, the company promised to hire them.

The Princes' Islands are a group of nine islands off the coast of Istanbul, Turkey, in the Sea of ​​Marmara. On the archipelago, consisting of 9 islands, car traffic is prohibited today and it is customary to take a break from noisy Istanbul. It's kind of suburban village metropolis.

And in Byzantine times and later Ottoman Empire princes and relatives of the sultans were exiled to these islands, for which the archipelago got its current name.

Small stone island off the coast of Marseille became popular thanks to the famous French writer Alexandre Dumas.

It is here that the guards bring the protagonist of the novel The Count of Monte Cristo, Edmond Dantes, to serve a long term on false charges.

The former fort was transformed into a prison, in which especially dangerous criminals were hidden from the end of the 16th century. Since the closing of the prison (1890), the castle has become one of the main places for visiting guests of Marseille.

At the same time, they are not averse to joking down that Sicily is not Europe, but North Africa. Then comments often follow in the spirit of our domestic dislikes of southerners and other "blacks": they say that they are all lazy, crooks and bandits who have come in large numbers to the rich Italian north and do not allow hardworking, honest and accurate residents to live.

In the north of Italy, as you know, there is a rather powerful League for the Defense of the North, headed by Umberto Bossi, which is now part of the ruling coalition. However, more recently, she advocated the separation of these areas from the rest of Italy, where supposedly southern idlers run everything. Everywhere the same: Sicily is the least developed Italian region, and the gap in economic development and, accordingly, in the standard of living it gives rise to migration and disgusting xenophobia.

As for the North African and Eastern influence on the character of the Sicilians, their culture, way of life, mentality, it really is. Everything is quite simple: in the IX-XII centuries. Arabs ruled Sicily. The time of their reign was far from the most bad period V long history islands. However, as in Spain, the Catholic rulers, who drove out the Arabs, sought to eradicate everything Muslim as soon as possible, so there were almost no traces of the dominant presence of the Arabs. And what has been preserved has become a component of the so-called Sicilian island consciousness with its temperament, behavioral characteristics and unique local flavor.

It may even seem to someone who came to Sicily from another region of Italy that he is in another country. For example, the Sicilians speak their own dialect, an almost separate language that a resident of Rome or Milan would not understand. However, for a foreigner who does not know Italian, differences in dialects are very conditional. But some things are immediately noticeable. So, in Sicily, it is very rare to see a hectic Italian conversation with a characteristic waving of hands in front of the interlocutor's nose and constructing all kinds of, sometimes very indecent, finger figures.

It is not customary for the inhabitants of the island to reveal their feelings. Sicilian conversation is slow and sedate, like all their unhurried, non-public life, hidden behind the narrow windows of old houses, fading at siesta hours and only in the evening flowing smoothly onto the boulevard benches and cafe tables. Here, serious and detailed conversations are held by middle-aged seniors (women - also the influence of the East - you rarely see on the streets) and amazing old men who look like mafia dons, as if participating in the filming of the movie "The Godfather". They, as if on thrones, sit on chairs or right on the steps of magnificent cathedrals.

This slowness, even drowsiness, non-publicity, external composure, which suddenly breaks through with an explosive, truly southern temperament, was surely awarded to the islanders by the Muslim conquerors who have sunk into oblivion.

However, Arab rule was only an episode in the thousand-year history of the island, where one civilization replaced another with kaleidoscopic diversity and a truly Babylonian pandemonium of peoples. Back in the 8th century BC e. the ancient Greeks and Phoenicians founded their colonies here and, having driven the primitive Sicilian natives deep into the island, began to quarrel with each other. Moreover, it was in Sicily that the Hellenes placed many of the evil characters of their epic. Here, in particular, Medusa Gorgon lived, whose image still adorns the Sicilian flag, and on both sides of the Strait of Messina, which separates Sicily from the Italian "boot", the terrible monsters Scylla and Charybdis raged, killing many sailors. Of course, there are places associated with beauty and romance on the island. So, in the city of Syracuse, you will definitely be shown a small freshwater lake (Arethusa Fountain), where Orpheus first met Eurydice.

However, Sicily is rich not only in the mythological symbols of the ancient period, but also in real evidence of that era: the remains of ancient Greek and Roman temples, amphitheatres, circuses, quarries in Taormina, Syracuse, Catania, late Roman mosaics in Agrigento and other beauties ancient architecture. The supposed tomb of Archimedes in Syracuse is also considered the pride of the island.

As in any other place with rich history, in Sicily, cultural monuments are a picturesque mixture. For example, next to antiquity, there are traces left by the Byzantines, who exterminated the Vandals and Ostrogoths, who captured the island during the dying period of the Roman Empire. The Byzantines were put up by the Arabs, and they, in turn, at the beginning of the 12th century. The Normans expelled King Roger from the island. The latter were replaced by the Germans almost a hundred years later, when Sicily came under the rule of the German emperors from the Hohenstaufen dynasty, related to the Norman kings. There is an opinion that the fair-haired and blue-eyed Sicilians, who are not so few here, are the descendants of the Normans and Germans.

At the Hohenstaufen at the end of the XIII century. The Angevins (French) took Sicily, and then, at the beginning of the 14th century, the Spaniards (originally the Aragonese) came to the island for a long time (until the end of the 17th century). The latter left a legacy of the red and yellow colors of the Sicilian flag, stunningly beautiful temples and charming city blocks built in the Baroque style. The island has its own style, which is called "Sicilian Baroque". It is considered to be the center small town With musical title Noto, which is located near Syracuse. When the island is immersed in the heat of the day, walking along the narrow and cool streets of the Baroque quarters, where its measured life flows in the courtyards, reminiscent of frames from Italian neo-realism films, delivers an inexpressible pleasure.

The symbol of the unimaginable cultural cocktail created by history in Sicily can be Cathedral in Syracuse. This building was first ancient Greek temple in the Dorian style, then a Byzantine basilica, a mosque, a Norman chapel and a Spanish Baroque cathedral. Elements of all architectural styles, despite numerous reconstructions and earthquakes, have survived here to this day.

It can be assumed that, having absorbed so many cultures, even being oversaturated with them, the Sicilians eventually felt themselves to be a completely self-sufficient community. It expressed itself, in particular, in the almost universal ignorance of any kind foreign languages. It should be noted that we are talking about self-sufficiency, and not about isolation, and even less about xenophobia. Indeed, having left the island, for example, to America (of course, in search of a better life), the Sicilians quickly and confidently fit into the surrounding foreign life. However (and everyone knows this), they do not lose close ties with their fellow tribesmen both in Sicily itself and in the host country.

According to the stories of the boy from the hotel, in small fishing villages scattered along the coast from Catania to Noto Marina, supposedly cool mafiosi are very fond of coming to rest (of course, there can be no talk of any showdowns in their small homeland), who once left from here to the United States and made a dizzying career there. It is said that due to such family and friendly visits, many of the inhabitants of the villages speak English, but we did not meet a single English-speaking Sicilian, except for hotel employees. However, German-speaking too. In general, the Sicilians treat foreign guests very cordially, but without much interest, without curiosity or something (self-sufficiency?). For them, a foreigner is first a guest, and then a foreigner.

Well, you can please a tourist in Sicily. There is beautiful beaches with amazing golden sand, transparent greenish-blue sea, gourmet cuisine(the notorious spaghetti, unlike continental Italy, is not visible here, there are much more fish dishes and all kinds of marine life: shrimps, crabs, squids and other shellfish), very good wine (sicilian marsala is best known outside the island) and quite decent local bottled beer .

Somewhat surprising is the lack of draft beer, at least in the eastern part of the island. Perhaps this is only our fault, or perhaps it is evidence of patriarchy, unaffected by the notorious globalization, commitment to local traditions, after all, the original, indigenous drink of Sicily, and indeed of all Italy, is wine.

Although there is no escape from globalization here either: it is slowly but surely undermining the patriarchal Sicilian foundations, already severely undermined by the most advanced part of the local youth, driving mopeds and motorcycles to the roar of rock music and consuming, as statistics show, more and more more beer.

But in the end, it's not about beer, but about objective reality: the world is becoming more interconnected and unified. In principle, there is nothing wrong with this, on the contrary ... However, you have to pay for everything, including the loss of something unique and original. So Sicily, most likely, is destined for the same fate: there are more and more travelers on the island, and, judging by the activity of local travel agencies that are actively promoting Sicily to the world market, the tourist industry is destined to become in the near future one of the most promising sectors of the now unthriving Sicilian economy.

So, West Side The island has already turned into an area of ​​mass and even elite tourism, since it is here that the capital of Sicily is located - The largest city Palermo. The most concentrated in the western part of the island luxury resorts, including complexes all inclusive, casinos, advanced discos, dance halls, golf courses, bases for busy "" equestrian sports, etc. In principle, an amateur nightlife, which in eastern Sicily is in an unusually modest for Western Europe condition, it is easy to get to the west by car or train. Just keep in mind that although Sicily is an island, it is the largest in the Mediterranean, and therefore the Catania-Palermo train will take about six hours. From Catania you can also take a ferry across Strait of Messina and land on the "toe" of the Italian "boot" (it was there that the ferocious Scylla was waiting for the sailors). And from here to Naples is within easy reach.

So, once on the island, you can either stay in the quiet and unfussy comfort of the Sicilian east, or plunge into the resort joviality of the west of northern Italians. The Sicilians also have to choose: either to remain in their proud, but poor patriarchy, or to try to make a leap forward, perhaps sacrificing part of their own originality, so that the arrogant northerners do not blame: they say, all sorts of people have come here.

Gorgon (Greek Γοργώ, Γοργών, Italian Gorgona) is an ambiguous term. Gorgons in ancient Greek mythology are snake-headed monsters, daughters of the sea deity Phorky (Forkis) and his sister Keto. Gorgon (island) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, part of ... ... Wikipedia

This term has other meanings, see Medusa (meanings). This term has other meanings, see Gorgons ... Wikipedia

- "Medusa", Caravaggio, 1598 99, Uffizi. The image of the severed head of the Gorgon Gorgon Medusa (Greek Μέδουσα, more precisely Medusa "guard, protector, mistress"), the most famous of the Gorgon sisters, a monster with a woman's face and snakes instead of hair ... ... Wikipedia

This term has other meanings, see Kerkyra. Corfu, Kerkyra Κέρκυρα ... Wikipedia

This term has other meanings, see Kerkyra. Kerkyra, Corfu Κέρκυρα Coordinates ... Wikipedia

This term has other meanings, see Athena (meanings). Athena (Ἀθηνᾶ) ... Wikipedia

Athena (Ἀθηνᾶ) Statue of Athena (type "Pallada Giustiniani") in the gardens of Peterhof Mythology: ancient Greek In other cultures: Minerva (lat.), Menfra (etrus.) Locality: Attica ... Wikipedia

- "Medusa", Caravaggio, 1598 99, Uffizi. The image of the severed head of the Gorgon Gorgon Medusa (Greek Μέδουσα, more precisely Medusa "guard, protector, mistress"), the most famous of the Gorgon sisters, a monster with a woman's face and snakes instead of hair ... ... Wikipedia

Cantino Planisphere (1502), the oldest surviving Portuguese navigational chart, showing the results of the expeditions of Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus and other explorers. It also depicts a meridian, section ... Wikipedia

Books

• Extra-curricular reading for secondary school (2CDmp3), Kun Nikolai Albertovich, Zhitkov Boris Stepanovich, Twain Mark, O. Henry, Stevenson Robert Lewis. The collection was made up of audio versions of works recommended for extracurricular reading in high school. It is addressed primarily to those who like to listen more than read. The parents of these...
• Art Russe Grand Cru: Saint-Emilion in the service of Russian art, Collective of authors. Simple Wine News is a publication dedicated to the news of winemaking, the wine trade and the restaurant business, the culture of wine consumption, wine travel and other aspects of the world of wine and gastronomy.… eBook

1. Alcatraz, USA. One of the most famous places the detention of criminals is located in the San Francisco Bay. From Spanish, the name of the island means "pelican". It was given to the island by the discoverer Juan Manuel de Ayala in 1775 because of the abundance of pelicans in this place. Throughout its history, Alcatraz has been a fort, a fortress and, finally, a prison where especially dangerous criminals served their sentences. Not a single prisoner managed to leave the island alive: a strong current and the vigilance of the guards interfered. After 29 years of existence, the prison was closed by order of US Attorney General Robert Kennedy (brother of President John F. Kennedy) on March 21, 1963. The walls of the dungeon preserved not only traces of the harsh everyday life of prisoners, but also colorful drawings of Indians who settled in ownerless premises in 1969. You can learn about the unusual inhabitants and legendary captives of the island, such as Al Capone, in the museum, which has been open on Alcatraz for 45 years.

2 Robben Island Prison, South Africa. 12 km from Cape Town is an island that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, there are no ancient ruins or unique buildings on Robben, except for the gloomy prison building in which the museum now operates. The former prison is notable for the fact that during the years of apartheid, numerous political prisoners languished behind bars, among whom the first black president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela (from 1962 to 1990), served his 28-year term. Today, this prison has turned into a museum complex, where excursions are constantly held.

3. Gorgon Island, Italy. On the smallest and northernmost island of the Tuscan archipelago, prisoners are serving their sentences, who are engaged in winemaking as part of corrective labor. In a maximum security colony, the Gorgon grape variety is grown for the Marchesi de Frescobaldi winery with a 700-year history. An unusual "collaboration" began last year. Almost 3000 bottles were produced from the first harvest. It is noteworthy that this project was partially funded by the Ministry of Justice, and after the “winemakers” serve their sentence, the company promised to hire them.

4. Princes' Islands, Turkey. On the archipelago, consisting of 9 islands, car traffic is prohibited today and it is customary to take a break from noisy Istanbul. And during the Byzantine and later Ottoman Empire, princes and relatives of the sultans were exiled to these islands, for which the archipelago got its current name.

5. Isle of If, France. A small stone island off the coast of Marseille became popular thanks to the famous French writer Alexandre Dumas. It is here that the guards bring the protagonist of the novel The Count of Monte Cristo, Edmond Dantes, to serve a long term on false charges. The former fort was transformed into a prison, in which especially dangerous criminals were hidden from the end of the 16th century. Since the closing of the prison (1890), the castle has become one of the main places for visiting guests of Marseille.

6. Bastoy Island, Norway. This country is famous for its humane treatment of prisoners and creates comfortable conditions for them to stay in custody, but the prison on Bastoy Island has exceeded all expectations. Prisoners do not live in cells, but in separate rooms in cozy wooden houses for six people. They can freely move around the territory, fish and even swim in the fjord. Prisoners can also play tennis and visit the sauna. As for work: the working day of prisoners lasts from 8:30 to 15:30.

7. Solovetsky Islands, Russia. Even today get to Solovetsky Islands, largest archipelago White Sea, hard, and before Solovki was considered the end of the world. As early as the 15th century, this archipelago was chosen by the monks, who in the 17th century were the first to use the monastery premises to imprison the disobedient. Their traditions were adopted by the Soviet government, under which in the 20s of the last century, the Solovetsky Special Purpose Camp was launched on the archipelago. Its prisoners participated in the construction of the White Sea-Baltic Canal. The prison, established in 1937, was liquidated 2 years later. Today Solovetsky archipelago became a state museum-reserve.