at a glance

originally called 'ilha dos ratos' (mice island), the name changed when in the 19th century a customhouse was built on the island, to administrate the local port and trade activities.

designed by adolfo del vecchio, the construction of the custom house started in 1881 and finished in 1889 - very characteristic in its looks, the building quickly became a postcard for the guanabara bay, sporting one of the most easily recognizable façades in rio de janeiro. the emperor was so impressed by the building that he ordered for the ball in honor of the officers of the chilean navy ship almirante cochrane to be held there in 9 november 1889 -  it was a moment of unbound ostentation that would make history - it would also be the very last ball of the imperial era. in fact, on the 15 of november a coup d'état brought the end of the monarchy and the advent of the presidential republic.