not only is the
building on the island quite unique and peculiar in style, but
this is the location of the
very last grand social event of the brazilian
empire, before it ceased to exist.
in fact, ilha
fiscal today is primarily famous for being the location of the
empire's last big party. the 'party' was
the baile da ilha fiscal (custom house island
ball) held just before the new republic of brazil was proclaimed
in 1889.