Alcatraz is the most famous prison in the world, which has been operating only as a museum for over 30 years. Tourists are greeted by an island with a stately building. Cramped solitary confinement cells, gloomy punishment cells and narrow passages add to the atmosphere of horror and doom.
History
The history of the San Francisco attraction began at the end of the 18th century, when a navigator from Spain discovered this island and named it Pelicanim (this is how the word "alcatraz" is translated from Spanish).
A hundred years later, during the era of the Gold Rush, a lighthouse appeared on this island, and a little later, a full-scale construction of a fort began, providing security for territories filled with gold resources. The fort was eventually equipped with over 100 long-range guns.
However, the gold ran out, and the need for the fort disappeared, so at the beginning of the 20th century a prison appeared on the island. First, prisoners of war were kept there, and then - dangerous criminals of the federal level.
An important point: in the history of the existence of Alcatraz, only 3 prisoners managed to escape from there, but this story until 2018 did not have actual evidence. It is believed that 3 prisoners drowned - Alcatraz is surrounded by the stormy waters of the bay.
What you can see today
Tour to Alcatraz is perhaps the most popular tourist service provided in San Francisco. Motor boats with tourists leave from pier 33 to the island every day. There are about 15 departures in total, every 30 minutes. If necessary, you can visit the island at night.
The very first acquaintance with this prison island begins not inside the building, but already at the pier to it. The path to the prison fort is a steep climb surrounded by picturesque gardens with lots of blooming plants.
By the way, from wartime, Alcatraz inherited large cannons and over 50 percent of all museum exhibits. Among the exhibits are such as:
- military uniforms;
- binoculars;
- household items of the military and the inhabitants of the fort;
- original prison keys marked with the letter "A";
- arming the guards;
- shackles and handcuffs;
- whistles;
- photographs and documentation (including daily routine);
- objects of creative works of prisoners;
- materials related to failed escapes and much more.
When visiting a prison, punishment cells, isolation wards, as well as blocks of numerous cells are opened to tourists. The building has a hall for Sunday masses, a dining room and a large courtyard.
Information for tourists and visitors
According to the latest data and official Internet resources and sites of both the prison itself and travel agencies, a tour to the fort-prison of Alcatraz will cost a tourist in:
- $ 33 for adults.
- $ 22 - for children;
- 66, 7 and 45, 2 dollars - excursion at night for adults and children.
The time to spend on the way from San Francisco to Alcatraz is 15 minutes. In this case, it is best to take about 3 hours for the excursion. You can return back to San Francisco almost at any time - you just need to take any motorboat sailing into the city.
