Incredible Brazilian Landmarks, No 5: Sambadrome

Finishing off our series on incredible Brazilian landmarks, we now take a look at the brilliantly named Sambadrome.

Sponsored by Pot Noodle Brazilian BBQ Steak Flavour   The Sambadrome is a purpose-built parade arena in the middle of down-town Rio de Janeiro, where samba schools parade competitively each year during the Rio Carnival. The parades attract many thousands of Brazilians and foreign tourists each year. It was designed by Oscar Niemayer and built as recently as 1984. It consists of a 700m stretch of the Marquês de Sapucaí street converted into a permanent parade ground with bleachers built on either side for spectators. Its capacity is 90,000. The parade avenue is painted white each year before Carnival. The complex includes an area located at the end of the parade route, the Praça da Apoteose (Apotheosis Square), where the bleachers are set further back from the parade area, creating a square where revellers gather as they end their parade. In Brazil, parades for the carnival in Rio are a serious business. They almost take it as seriously as their football. 90,000 capacity to see all the different schools competing at parading? What's not to love?! It is an ocean of colour and sound. It's no holds-barred extravagance and is an absolute must see if you're ever in Rio de Janeiro. For the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio in 2016, the Sambadrome will be the official venue for the archery and will be part of the marathon route. In preparations for the Olympics, a nearby Brahma old factory was demolished and extra bleachers were built there increasing spectator capacity by around 18,000 seats, in accordance with Niemeyer's original project of having the Sambadrome complex with a symmetrical design. The reopening occurred on February 7, 2012. Mayor Eduardo Paes and architect Oscar Niemeyer attended the ceremony. Brought to you with thanks to Pot Noodle Brazilian BBQ Steak Flavour.