Last updated on December 20, 2023.

Just outside of Rio de Janeiro city center is the Sambadrome. It’s converted into one of the most important areas of the city for a few days a year. 

The Sambadrome (Sambódromo Marquês de Sapucaí) is where thousands of revelers from all over the world flock to for the annual Rio Carnival (Carnaval). It was constructed specifically for the event in 1984 by renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer.

Sambódromo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sambadrome

 

Parade Route

The capacity of the Sambadrome is over 90,000. It consists of grandstands on either side of Marquês de Sapucaí Street (Rua Marquês de Sapucaí) with a 700m stretch of the street as the main parade route. Outside of Carnaval season, the venue is used for concerts.

Sambódromo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sambódromo

 

Apotheosis Square

The parade route ends at Apotheosis Square (Praça da Apoteose), a place for revelers to gather as the parade ends. Our guide told us that the structure represents a woman bending over in a bikini while the shape of the complex from above is phallic. He said it was Niemeyer’s intention to make the design something sexual and nobody caught onto it during the construction. Whether this is true or not is up for debate as I haven’t found any piece of information regarding this story. See the map below and you can judge for yourself.

Praça da Apoteose at Sambódromo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Apotheosis Square

 

Your Own Carnaval Experience

For those who want to get into the Carnaval spirit, there are some small shops where people can try on Carnaval outfits for souvenir photos or buy Carnaval-related souvenirs. Our guide told us these shops often supply costumes for the annual event.

Sambódromo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Carnaval shops
Sambódromo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Carnaval shop
Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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