Main Prison, San Francisco

The main prison in San Francisco, known as Alcatraz, is a place with a rich and dark history that today attracts throngs of tourists as a museum. Located on Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay, it was once the most famous and impenetrable federal prison in the United States.

Alcatraz Island, often called "The Rock," from 1934 to 1963 was home to some of the most notorious criminals, including Al Capone and Robert Stroud, known as the "Birdman of Alcatraz." The prison gained a reputation as a place from which escape was impossible due to strong water currents and cold water in the bay.

After closing as a penitentiary, Alcatraz was opened to the public as a museum, offering visitors insight into life in one of the most famous prisons in the world. The island is accessible by ferry, which departs from Pier 33 in San Francisco.

Visitors can explore the cells, the courtyard, and other parts of the prison, including the isolation cells and guard rooms. Audio guides are also available, which tell the stories of former inmates and guards, adding depth to the touring experience.

Alcatraz is also a place of historical and cultural significance, being a testament to both the American penitentiary system and America's indigenous history. In 1969, the island became the site of a protest by Native Americans, who occupied Alcatraz, demanding respect for treaties and the rights of their people.