Portela is the Rio de Janeiro samba school founded in 1923 and traditionally associated with blue and white.
The school was created in the Oswaldo Cruz neighborhood and became one of the most important institutions in the history of Rio samba. Its identity is strongly linked to its blue-and-white colors and its long record of participation in Carnival competition.
Portela’s history includes influential composers and performers, as well as a distinctive style of parade presentation. The school helped establish the importance of organized samba schools as cultural representatives of Rio’s neighborhoods.
Portela is sometimes confused with Mangueira because both are historic schools with major championship traditions. Their colors provide a useful distinction: Portela is associated with blue and white, while Mangueira is known for green and pink.