Vasco da Gama Stadium, also known as São Januário, is a tourist attraction and private football stadium of Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama, located in the neighborhood of the same name, on Rua General Almério de Moura. Its construction began in mid-1926, supported by donations and membership drives that financed the works.
Vasco da Gama Stadium. Source: https://acervo.oglobo.globo.com/
Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a stadium. From left to right, we see a series of buildings and smaller structures that form the surroundings of the stadium. In the center, there is the green turf of the soccer field, with white lines marking the playing areas. On the right, we find the stadium's stands, where spectators would sit. In the background, there are more buildings and an urban area that stretches to the horizon.The funding of the stadium at the time amounted to around 2,000 contos de réis, funds raised by fans and members in a spectacular fundraising campaign. In its inaugural match, a game between Vasco and Santos - the leading Brazilian team of the era - the cruzmaltinos, despite being defeated, left with their heads held high, for they knew of the wonderful feat of raising a stadium financed mostly by their own fans, proving the people's unconditional love for the club.
In addition to soccer matches, the stadium hosted several music concerts and various festivals; however, the most famous non-sporting event that took place at the venue was the May 1st Rally in 1943, in which the then President of the Republic, Getúlio Vargas, announced the consolidation of the Labor Laws (CLT). The stadium also has a neocolonial-style façade, protected as a landmark by the city.
Parade celebrating May 1st at Estádio de São Januário, 1942.
Image description: This is a photograph of a parade in a stadium. In the central area, there is a large human figure prominently featured, followed by a procession of people carrying flags. On the right, there is a banner with legible text. In the background, the stadium is full of spectators.For the club's athletes, the stadium also has enormous relevance to their lives; Ygor Catatau, a former Vasco athlete, says he was able to find a home in the São Januário facilities while doing trials at the club. Gabriel Pec, on the other hand, a current Vasco athlete, has vivid and moving memories of his relationship with the stadium and the club.
Eu estreei como profissional só contra o Bahia no final de 2019, infelizmente não vencemos mas foi incrível ver o Caldeirão cheio, a torcida me aplaudindo quando entrei e etc... Mas minha história com São Januário vem de antes, da categoria de base, estou aqui desde os onze anos. Passei pouco tempo nos alojamentos do estádio, diferente de outros do clube, mas devo tudo ao Vasco por me dar um lar, e uma oportunidade de honrar essa torcida.
Source: agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br
Image description: The image is a photograph of a soccer player in action. He is wearing a black jersey with white details and the number 17 in white on the lower part of his shorts. The player is in motion, with his arms raised in a celebratory gesture. In the background, there is a protective fence and a player in a blue uniform lying on the grass. The grass is green and well maintained.Vasco fan account - Nicolas Correia
"I went when I was younger, my parents saved up some money and took me to São Januário, I was only 11 years old and it was my first time. The streets leading to the stadium were packed, with bars, a bit of a commotion, but I was really excited. Getting into the stands was crazy.
I remember that in that match Vasco won 4 x 2 in a game against Madureira, it wasn't such an important duel, but for me it was something magical, my first experience, I was feeling fulfilled. The crowd shouting, cursing, and my mother asking me not to pay attention are still in my memory[...]"
ge.globo.com
Image description: This is a photograph of a packed stadium during a nighttime sporting event. On the left side, we see fans with flags and banners, while the center and right are filled with thousands of spectators. In the background, there is an illuminated building, possibly the location of the club's headquarters. In the lower right corner, a white banner with black letters can be seen.Sources: NetVasco, Wikipedia São Januário, Official Vasco da Gama Twitter, Revista o Lance!. And the account by the ETEAB student, Nicolas Correia from PAV 101.
