Quadra da Portela

The Story

Founded in Oswaldo Cruz in 1923, Portela is the oldest active samba school and Rio's most decorated, with 22 carnival titles. Its founding figure Paulo da Portela was the first sambista to wear a suit and tie to the parades, a quiet declaration of dignity at a time when samba was still associated with criminality and persecuted by police. Sunday rehearsals at the quadra in Madureira draw researchers, tourists and devoted fans year-round.

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