Alcatraz

Notorious federal prison island in San Francisco Bay – Al Capone, escape legends, today one of the USA's most visited attractions.

Alcatraz is a rocky island in San Francisco Bay that housed one of the most notorious federal penitentiaries in the United States from 1934 to 1963. Its inmates included figures considered too dangerous or escape-prone for other facilities — Al Capone and Robert Stroud, known as the Birdman of Alcatraz, among them. Strong tidal currents and cold water made escape attempts nearly impossible; 36 were tried and none is considered fully successful. Today the island is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and draws nearly 1.4 million visitors a year.