Ilha Fiscal Castle, Rio de Janeiro

Ilha Fiscal Castle, Rio de Janeiro

The Fiscal Island (Ilha Fiscal) and its picturesque palace, which was once used as the headquarters of the Guarda Fiscal in Rio de Janeiro, serve as a reminder of a time when the city was the capital of the Brazilian Empire.

Situated in Guanabara Bay, Fiscal Island was chosen by the local government to construct a palace that would serve as the offices for Brazilian customs officials. This architectural project was conceived by Pedro II of Brazil, who enlisted the expertise of engineer Adolfo José del Vecchio to bring it to fruition.

The result was a charming palace, influenced by the architectural style of French architect Viollet-le-Duc with a touch of Gothic-Provence aesthetics. It was officially opened on April 27th, 1889, in a ceremony attended by the Emperor and various foreign dignitaries.

The palace became the venue for the final grand ball organized by the imperial government a few months later, on November 9th. This event was organized to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Princess Isabel and the Count of Eu. Up to 5,000 guests attended an extravagant celebration financed with funds meant for drought relief in Ceará. Six days later, the monarchy was overthrown, and the Republic of Brazil was established.

Today, Fiscal Island is home to a cultural history museum, which is maintained by the Brazilian Navy. Visitors can embark on boat and land tours that depart from the nearby Navy Cultural Center and explore Ilha Fiscal and its surroundings.

Why You Should Visit:
The island commands an impressive view of the Bay, the Sugarloaf, the Corcovado Mountain with Christ the Redeemer on top, and the downtown area.
The fact you get there by boat, through the Guanabara Bay, makes the tour even more magical, because of the impressive scenery. A true win for all ages!

Tip:
Purchase your ticket at the Museu Naval on the waterfront (a couple of blocks north of Praça XV), which is above average and well worth a visit in itself.
If you don't speak Portuguese, either a separate guide or a booklet to help will be provided at Ilha Fiscal (make sure to be around at the beginning of the visit so you get yours).

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Rio de Janeiro. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Ilha Fiscal Castle on Map

Sight Name: Ilha Fiscal Castle
Sight Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (See walking tours in Rio de Janeiro)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

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