PORTELA

The Soaring Eagle

Paulo da Portela, Antônio Rufino, and Antônio Caetano were the visionaries who founded what we now know as the Grêmio Recreativo Escola de Samba Portela. The seed of this grand idea was planted in the backyards, carnival blocks, and samba circles of Oswaldo Cruz, where the foundations of the samba school with the most championship wins in Rio’s carnival were forged.

After occupying several headquarters, including the pioneering Portelinha – the first covered samba school quadra – Portela now calls the grand Portelão on Rua Clara Nunes home. This street name honors the legendary sambista and patroness of Portela’s Velha Guarda.

Opened in 1972, Portelão blends architectural elements reminiscent of old mansions, with both indoor and outdoor spaces. It houses a rich collection of trophies, photos from iconic parades, and statues honoring the school’s founders and historic figures such as Monarco. Inside, there’s also a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Aparecida and Saint Sebastian, Portela’s patron saints, reflecting the religious syncretism with the orixás Oxum and Oxóssi, to whom the school was consecrated at its founding. Portelão serves as the venue for rehearsals, meetings, and cultural activities throughout the year, solidifying its status as a vibrant hub of Carioca culture.

One of Portela’s unmistakable symbols is the Eagle. Natal da Portela, one of the school’s most iconic presidents, inspired sambistas to “stride down the avenue like eagles,” embodying elegance and confidence. Over the years, the eagle has become the centerpiece of Portela’s parades, stirring emotions and building anticipation with every presentation.

Portela is more than a samba school, it is the embodiment of a cultural legacy that reflects the soul of Rio’s suburban, Carioca, and Brazilian people.

As the unforgettable Portela Anthem, composed by Chico Santana, proclaims:
“Portela, your colors shine in Brazil’s flag and the heavens above.
Forward, Portelense, to victory, don’t you see your past is full of glory?
Beloved Portela, you are everything in life to me.”