Niterói is home to Unidos do Viradouro, the samba school that competes in Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival Special Group.
Niterói lies across Guanabara Bay from the city of Rio de Janeiro. Although Viradouro represents Niterói, it performs in Rio’s Sambadrome because the Special Group competition is centered there.
Unidos do Viradouro was founded in 1946 and traditionally uses red and white. The school has become one of the most successful representatives of a city outside Rio’s municipal boundary in the top competition.
This geographic distinction can cause confusion: “Rio Carnival” describes the major Carnival competition and its venue, while not every competing school is based in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. Viradouro is the clearest prominent example.