The stadium is probably best known to the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics viewers as the venue for the archery events and the marathon’s finishing line. To locals, this location holds a greater purpose. It is where Samba School parades are held every year during the Rio Carnival to mark the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period before Easter that is observed by Christians. This annual occasion showcases Samba, which is both a dance style and musical genre that has Brazilian-African roots, and is widely recognised globally as a symbol of Brazil and a part of the national identity.

Constructed in 1984 by well-known architect Oscar Niemeyer especially for the Samba School parades, it was initially met with controversy and scepticism. Niemeyer’s decision to build the Sambódromo with solely concrete was highly debated and the Brazilians also worried that traffic could be affected when it was established. However, the results turned out to be the exact opposite of what people feared. Niemeyer’s use of concrete in his work subsequently proved to be iconic in national architecture, making the Sambódromo even more recognised. Moreover, traffic actually improved due to gaps in the stadium’s sectors. Presently, the Sambóbromo remains as one of Rio de Janeiro’s landmarks.