Fiscal Island
The Fiscal Island and its neo-gothic palace attracts attention in the Bay Guanabara. At the time of its construction It was one of the most attractive and interesting constructions of Rio de Janeiro City, that was then the capital city of Brazil. The palace was constructed by order of Peter II and used to be a headquarters for supervising port operations. Some years ago, It was open to the public visitation and became a touristc attraction in Rio. Beyond its beauty, the palace was involved in some historical episodes.
The Island, The Palace and Its History
It is a lime green neo-gothic building that originaly used to be a headquarters for supervising port operations.
The small island to place the building and the archtectonic style was the choice of Dom Pedro I, the King of Brazil at that time. It was designed by engineer Adolfo del Vecchio and completed in 1889.
Although it looks like a palace, the building was just a work place and heaquarter, to charge and put tax based on the cost and amount of goods regarding the load of the ships. It was where the officials and ship capitains used to meet to report their charge and pey the tax.
Besides the beauty of the building, this palace is famous as the location of the last Imperial Ball, held November 9, 1889.
The Ball started in the evening and fineshed about 5 AM on the 10th of November. There was two orchestras and 5000 selected guests who enjoyed fine meals and drinks.
Five days after the ball took place, the Arms along with some politicians decide to put an end to the Constitutional Monarchy regime. Actually it was a coup, and The King was "invited" to step down and leave the country and so He did. The Monarchy ended its last days in great style and from then on Brazil became a Republic.
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