ILHA FISCAL
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A small island in Guanabara Bay with a small palace in the Portuguese Manueline style, inspired by a fairy tale
It's hard to miss this kitschy edifice on a small island in Guanabara Bay. In 1889, architect Adolfo del Vecchio was commissioned to draw up plans for the new neo-Gothic palace. From a distance, Isla Fiscale appears turquoise, but is in fact pistachio green, a fashionable color in the days of the empire. The island's location and architecture, inspired by a fairy tale, arouse the curiosity of visitors. It almost bears a resemblance to the castle of Ludwig II of Bavaria, or those in Walt Disney cartoons.
When Emperor Don João VI settled in Rio, he decided to build a palace that would make a strong impression on all foreigners coming to Rio for the first time, when the ships entered the bay. The palace was built in the Portuguese Manueline style, very much in vogue at the time.
Isla Fiscale owes its name to its former "octroi" function, where ships entering the bay had to pay a tax. The harbour master's office was short-lived, however. Once construction was complete, the Emperor decided to hold the "Emperor's Ball" there, in honor of Chilean personalities invited to the capital of the empire. Six days later, on November 15 1889, the emperor was overthrown by the military and a republic was established.
Inside the palace, the walls bear the coats of arms of the two imperial families, the fleur-de-lys of the Comte d'Eu family and the arms of the Bragança family.
Did you know? This review was written by our professional authors.
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