Santo Stefano Island

Santo Stefano is an island in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the west coast of Italy, and part of the Pontine Islands. It has a circular shape, is less than 400 metres (1,300 feet) in diameter, and is located 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) east from the nearby island of Ventotene.

Like the rest of the archipelago, the island was created by volcanic activity.

It is dominated by an old prison built by the Bourbons, completed in 1797 and in use until 1965. It has 99 cells 4.50 by 4.20 metres (14.8 by 13.8 ft) around a central watchtower. Built for 600 inmates, it had 800 in 1817 (and 400 on Ventotene). People imprisoned included Carmine Crocco, the most important brigand during the Italian unification, and the anarchist Gaetano Bresci, who killed King Umberto I in 1900. He was imprisoned there for a year before being found hanged in his cell. During the Fascist regime, other prisoners were the future President of Italy Sandro Pertini, Umberto Terracini, Giorgio Amendola, Lelio Basso, Mauro Scoccimarro, Giuseppe Romita, Altiero Spinelli and Ernesto Rossi.

In October 1860, part of the Bourbon troops left the island for the siege of Gaeta. During a revolt, some Camorra prisoners proclaimed the Republic of Santo Stefano. The prisoners legislated a statute and remained autonomous until January 1861, when a Navy contingent recovered the island.

The island has been uninhabited since the closure of the prison, except for tourists that visit by boat during the day.

The island has had several names, such as Partenope, Palmosa, Dommo Stephane and Borca since Roman times.

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