Islands whisper secrets. Ilha de Brocoió does too. It sits in Guanabara Bay a short distance from Paquetá Island. Imagine this island’s story. It once served as a prison for rebellious indigenous people. Later it became a source of lime for construction. Lime mixed with whale oil was essential for building during colonial Brazil.
Originally two small islands, they were joined together. The island’s geography changed significantly. This was due to land reclamation projects. Today Ilha de Brocoió covers about 200000 square meters.
In the 1930s Octávio Guinle bought the island. He urbanized it. Guinle hired architect Joseph Gire to design a mansion. It was completed in 1932. The mansion is one of the few Norman-style buildings in Latin America.
Materials came from France and Portugal. A large German organ was installed. It could play classical scores automatically. The complex included a manager’s house a warehouse and a greenhouse. There was also a boathouse a pier a fish nursery and a lake.
Important figures visited Ilha de Brocoió. Getúlio Vargas was one guest. Australian actor Errol Flynn visited too. Madame Chiang Kai-shek also stayed there. She sought rest and health.
In 1944 the city of Rio de Janeiro purchased the island. It cost six million Cruzeiros. Since then Ilha de Brocoió has belonged to the state government. The Palácio de Brocoió is now a listed building. It serves as an alternate residence for the Governor.
The palace maintenance costs the state around R$96000 per year. That is about R$8000 per month. Three employees maintain the grounds. They cut grass and trim trees.
The palace itself needs restoration. The swimming pool is damaged. The roof needs repair. Windows are broken. Bathroom tiles are destroyed. Bronze faucets need restoration. The German organ is not working.
There have been plans to turn it into a hotel school. The idea of selling has been floated, for around R$45 million. But there were no buyers. Selling it now for R$8 million would be difficult.
Ilha de Brocoió remains a unique place. It connects Brazil’s colonial past with its present. Its future is uncertain. The island whispers tales of prisoners magnates and politicians. What will its next chapter be?