SAMBÓDROMO – STAGE OF THE BIGGEST SHOW OF RIO DE JANEIRO

What is the most famous attraction of Rio de Janeiro? Of course it’s carnival! And because of that we’ll explain a little bit more about the sambódromo of Rio de Janeiro. Read more details and interesting information.

SAMBÓDROMO HISTORY

This is one of the many buildings of the most important Brazilian architect: Oscar Niemeyer. The idea was to create a permanent stage for the biggest show in the world: Carnival in Rio de Janeiro! In fact, the popular name of the sambódromo is “Passarela do Samba”. The construction was built in 1984. It is located at Rua Marques de Sapucaí.

In this place were already the carnival parades. But before the official construction of the space, the stands and cabin structures were set up annually. Shortly after the construction of the sambódromo in Rio de Janeiro, some others were built in several other Brazilian capitals.

EXPLAINING THE FAME

A question for you: Why is the place where the parades take place is called sambódromo?

The word sambódromo is a junction of “samba” with a Greek suffix “dromo” meaning: running place. The official name of the space is called “Passarela Professor Darcy Ribeiro”. Darcy Ribeiro was the vice governor of Rio de Janeiro at the time of construction. In addition to political office, he was a writer, educator, anthropologist, and a college professor.

He was also really important for the construction of sambódromo. And the idea of making a part that widens at the end of the walkway and forms the stands was his. This space is called “Praça da Apoteose” (Apotheosis Square), and is also considered his idea, along with the Parabolic Arch.

CURIOSITIES AND STRUCTURE

– The construction of the sambódromo took a total of 120 days.

– The structure was assembled using precast reinforced concrete techniques.

– The walkway is 700 meters long and 13 meters wide.

– The space has the capacity to receive more than 70 thousand people.

STRUCTURE AND IT’S MEANING

At the end of the sambódromo is located the “Praça da Apoteose”. In the square is a concrete parabolic arch-shaped building and has a shape in the center. This is also a work of Oscar Niemeyer. This is one of his most architectural and famous works.

But what is the meaning? In reality, there is not much accuracy as to the meaning of the architect’s work. It is really difficult to explain it’s forms. There are, however, two more widely accepted theories.

THEORIES

The first to consider is the characteristics of Oscar’s works, using abstract shapes and designs. Undoubtedly they have a unique beauty, and each person has the freedom to think what they like most.

ON THE OTHER HAND…

The second theory about the work considers that the arch could be the shape of a woman in a bikini, because the architect really like portraying shapes and curves. At the top of the arch there is a kind of very small triangle which could also be the bikini.

So, considering the work as a whole, we can identify a “woman lying down or a carnival dancer”. Obviously what is evident is it’s forms.

What do you think of these theories? Do you identify these shapes as well?

SAMBÓDROMO DIVISION

This space is divided into some sectors listed between even and odd numbers, from 1 to 13. The even-numbered side is located near “Praça Onze”. And the side with odd numbers is located near “Central”.

SERVICES OFFERED

SHOPS AND SELLERS

Both sides offer options for quick snacks, from snack bars and fast food chains, to drinks and snack vendors, even in the stands. Hunger you will not pass at sambódromo! HAHA.

TOILETS

In every sector of the sambódromo there are toilets, more precisely located near the exits.

sambodromo-tamanho

HOW THE SEATS ARE DIVIDED?

There are 5 different types of seats at sambódromo. Understand how they work and the capacity.

ARQUIBANCADA – GRANDSTAND

This is undoubtedly one of the most searched. The grandstand is located at the highest part of the space and offers a privileged view of the parade.

CAPACITY

Grandstand Special: 25.984 places

Grandstand Popular: 25.700 places

CAMAROTES

If you like good service such as Open Bar and Buffet, this place is much more interesting for you. Camarotes are located in the spaces below the grandstand, and above the frisas.

CAPACITY

Camarote: 7.056 places

FRISAS

In this space the seats are located really close to the parade. This is a really comfortable area and has the capacity for only 6 people. This is an interesting option for those who are going to see the parade for the first time and want to have a better view of the show.

FRISAS WITH A COVERTURE

This one has the double of the capacity compared to the normal, up to 12 people. It’s located at Fila D of sector 7 and right below the camarotes.

CAPACITY

Frisas in total: 11.498 places

NUMBERED CHAIRS

The numbered chairs are located in the space at the end of the parade, at Praça da Apoteose (Apotheosis Square). It’s located at sector 12 and 13 of sambódromo.

CAPACITY

Individual Chairs: 2.280 places

EVENTS BEYOND CARNIVAL

Far beyond the carnival, the sambódromo and the Apotheosis Square have received and continue to receive events and shows a few times a year. Many Brazilian (Daniela Mercury, Gilberto Gil) and international (David Bowie, Bon Jovi, Rolling Stones) artists have used the space as a stage. Some music festivals have also happened there.

SOME OTHER DETAILS ABOUT SAMBÓDROMO

Would you like to visit the sambódromo? If unfortunately you are unable to visit Rio de Janeiro during the carnival period, there is no need to worry. You can still visit the sambódromo even though it’s not carnival. Both the sambódromo itself and the Samba Museum (located in Praça da Apoteose) that work in the same space can be visited during the day. And the best? They are free visits.

SAMBA SCHOOL REHEARSAL

Samba school rehearsals officially begin in December. These rehearsals take place on weekend nights, until the beginning of the carnival.

SAMBÓDROMO RULES

To visit the sambódromo there are some rules that must be followed. See more about it.

ARE ALLOWED

– Up to two containers up to 500ml with drinks (water, soda or beer);

– Up to two items of food (fruits, snacks or sandwiches).

ARE NOT ALLOWED

– The entrance of children under 5 years old;

– Glass containers of any kind;

– Plastic bags;

– Sharp objects;

– Armament;

– Fireworks.

HOW TO GET TO SAMBÓDROMO

Now we’ll tell you the best options of how to get to Sambódromo of Rio de Janeiro.

METRO RIO

Sambódromo is located at Rua Marques de Sapucaí. The easiest option is taking the Metro Rio. On parade days the service runs all day (24 hours a day) and the subway compositions leave every 10 minutes.

SAMBÓDROMO EVEN SECTORS – 2,4,6,8, 10 e 12

If you want to access the even sectors of Sambódromo with the metro you should go until PRAÇA ONZE station. You have to use the exit B – Marquês de Sapucaí and and continue to sector 2.

SAMBÓDROMO ODD SECTORS- 1,3,5,7,9,11 e 13

If you want to access the odds sectors of Sambódromo with the metro, you should go until CENTRAL station. In this case, you’ll need to walk a little bit more than 500m to access your sector. You’ll pass the nice cars of the parade in Terreirão do Samba. The exit should be made by access B – Marquês de Sapucaí and continue to sector 2.

TAXI

There are two companies that have official agreement with the sambódromo and will take you to or from the desired sectors.

GO FROM TAXI TO EVEN SECTORS – 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 e 12

The accredited taxi company to take people into the even side sectors is COOPATUR. The service has a fixed list price and the service must be requested in advance for scheduling.

CONTACT

Coopatur: (21) 2573-1009 ou (21) 3885-1000

GO FROM TAXI TO ODD SECTORS – 1, 3, 4, 7, 9 ,11 e 13

The company accredited for access to the odd sectors of the sambadrome is COOPETRAMO. The service is also fixed by table. Service request must be made in advance for scheduling.

CONTACT

Coopetramo: (21) 2560-2022 ou (21) 2560-1474

EXIT SAMBÓDROMO WITH TAXI

You can request taxi service inside the sambódromo. Taxis will be available in even sectors 8 through 10 and odd sectors 9 through 11.