Portela

Portela is a Brazilian samba school based in Rio de Janeiro. Officially named Grêmio Recreativo Escola de Samba Portela, it is one of the city’s oldest and most traditional institutions affiliated with the annual Carnival.

The school was founded in 1923 by Paulo da Portela and fellow residents of the Portela neighborhood in the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro. It takes its name from the district where it originated. Portela’s colors are blue and white, and the organization is known for its distinctive musical style, parade performances, and long-standing presence in Rio’s samba culture.

Portela regularly participates in Rio de Janeiro’s Carnaval, competing in the city’s top division and contributing to the evolution of samba music and performance. Over the decades, the school has been associated with numerous notable parades and has helped launch the careers of many samba composers and performers. Beyond competition, Portela sustains community engagement through cultural and social programs, preserving samba traditions and providing opportunities for local youth and residents to participate in music, dance, and education.

As a landmark of Rio’s cultural landscape, Portela remains a symbol of the city’s samba heritage, reflecting the importance of neighborhood-based communities in shaping Brazil’s musical and festive traditions.