under pedro ii's rule, during the middle of the 19th century, a hospital was built in dois rios to the south of the island. the purpose of the institution was to take care of outcast  immigrants and lepers on the isolated ilha grande.

the hospital, or 'lazareto' was later transformed into a jail in 1940. the deactivated prison is a popular attraction today -  visitors are able to take a tour of the cells, and learn about a fascinating part of the island's history, including how prisoners lived under tough conditions.