The Marquês de Sapucaí Sambódromo (place where schools of Samba perform), located in the central region of Rio de Janeiro, turns 40 in 2024.
The stage for large samba school parades during Carnival, the project was designed by architect and urban planner Oscar Niemeyer and underwent several modifications until reaching the final features.
Famous throughout the world, the 700-meter avenue is synonymous with celebration, joy and excitement. But before it was inaugurated, four other places were the stage for Rio’s carnival: Praça XI, Avenida Presidente Vargas, Avenida Rio Branco and Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, all located in downtown Rio.
In 1983, work to build the structure began. Announced in September 1983 and delivered at the beginning of 1984, it was built by 2,500 workers during 156 working days. On March 2, 1984, as promised, the sambódromo was ready.
Listed by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (Iphan), Marquês de Sapucaí has established itself as an emblematic landmark of the city and the country.
The first big school samba to perform at the new location was ‘Unidos da Tijuca’.
For the first time, the parade was divided into two nights and with two champions chosen by the judges. ‘Portela’ won the first night and ‘Estação Primeira de Mangueira’ emerged victorious in the second.
Who was Marquês de Sapucaí?
Cândido José de Araújo Viana, the Marquês de Sapucaí, was born in Nova Lima (MG) on September 15, 1793. A Brazilian judge and politician, he held the presidency of the senate from 1851 to 1853 and was Prince D.Pedro II master of literature and positive sciences in 1839. He was also responsible for Princess Isabel’s education.
So why give the name of a person who wasn’t even born in Rio de Janeiro to a place so ‘carioca’ (people born in Rio de Janeiro are called carioca)? According to historians, it was Darcy Ribeiro, one of the project’s creators, who wanted to pay homage to an intellectual who had relevance in the prince’s educational life and became known in the city.