Piscinão de Ramos
| Piscinão de Ramos | |
|---|---|
Aerial view of the Piscinão de Ramos in 2012 | |
| Location | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Coordinates | 22°50′21″S 43°15′2″W / 22.83917°S 43.25056°W |
| Surface area | 26,414 m2 (284,320 sq ft) |
| Average depth | 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) |
| Location | |
Interactive map of Piscinão de Ramos | |
Piscinão de Ramos ("Ramos [Beach] Big Pool") is an artificial saltwater lagoon located in the Maré neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Constructed in 2001 with the goal of providing residents of Rio's North Zone with a clean bathing area, it is considered the main leisure area of the North Zone and has recorded up to 60,000 visitors on a single weekend.[1] The swimming complex, along with the beach and leisure areas, are part of the Carlos Roberto de Oliveira Dicró Environmental Park at Ramos Beach (Portuguese: Parque Ambiental da Praia de Ramos Carlos Roberto de Oliveira Dicró).[2]
History
Located on the banks of Avenida Brasil, Ramos Beach is one of the most traditional gathering spots for families from Rio's suburbs—despite having been polluted since the 1950s and being considered unfit for swimming since the 1980s.[3] During Anthony Garotinho's term as governor of the state of Rio de Janeiro, the state government launched a project to clean up Ramos Beach by building a stone dam capable of separating the channels connecting the area to Guanabara Bay, preventing further waste from reaching the site. However, since the bay's water surface is a listed heritage asset, the execution of the original idea was abandoned. The solution found at the time was then the creation of an artificial lagoon at the same location.[4]
At the time of its inauguration, the Piscinão was located next to two favelas controlled by the Terceiro Comando, and a little further ahead was a favela controlled by the Comando Vermelho.[5] Many visitors to the Piscinão said they were warned by members of the Terceiro Comando not to wear red clothing, as it would be an allusion to the Comando Vermelho.[5] A resident of a favela dominated by the Comando Vermelho told the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper that she does not go to the Piscinão because she fears being killed.[5] At first, the police said this was an invention of the media.[5]
Over the years, the large swimming pool has faced criticism due to the accumulation of trash in its surroundings and the buildup of sludge and fecal matter in its waters, despite Rio-Águas claiming that the entire volume of water in the saltwater lake is replaced every seven to ten days. The replacement of the "liner," meanwhile, occurs "on average every two years."[6][7]
In 2023, the park was revitalized by the Rio de Janeiro city government. The interventions included the construction of multi‑sports courts, a sand court, a synthetic grass field, new playgrounds for children, facilities for seniors, a multipurpose area, social gathering spaces, landscape restoration, as well as the renovation of the bleachers, bicycle path, skate park, and the remodeling of the restrooms.[8][9]
In popular culture
The samba singer Dicró was one of the greatest advocates for the creation of the Piscinão de Ramos, and the lagoon became a theme in many of his songs. After his death in 2012, the park was renamed in his honor.[10]
Some telenovelas have brought attention to the Piscinão de Ramos, such as O Clone (TV Globo) and Amor e Intrigas (Record).[5][11]
In 2021, singer Anitta filmed part of the music video for the song "Girl From Rio" at the Piscinão.[1]
References
- ^ a b "Piscinão de Ramos: 4 curiosidades sobre a atração do Rio de Janeiro". Casa Vogue (in Brazilian Portuguese). 18 August 2022. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ felipeptmendes (18 June 2022). "Prefeitura do Rio anuncia a reforma do Piscinão de Ramos" [Rio de Janeiro City Hall announces the renovation of the Piscinão de Ramos]. Prefeitura da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro - prefeitura.rio (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 24 July 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ "Praia de Ramos – Rio de Janeiro". loucosporpraia.com.br. Archived from the original on 23 July 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ Fernandes, Gabriel. "Conheça a história do piscinão mais famoso e frequentado do Brasil" [Discover the history of the most famous and frequented swimming pool in Brazil]. Diário do Litoral. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ a b c d e Marinheiro, Vaguinaldo. "O piscinão de Ramos, Garotinho, traficantes e defecadores". Folha de S. Paulo. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ "Criado como alternativa à praia suja, Piscinão de Ramos tem lodo e lixo" [Created as an alternative to the dirty beach, Piscinão de Ramos is full of mud and trash] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 20 May 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ "Piscinão de Ramos, em meio a crise, está abandonado" [Piscinão de Ramos, amidst the crisis, is abandoned]. VEJA RIO (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 12 December 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ felipeptmendes (20 January 2023). "Prefeitura do Rio entrega Piscinão de Ramos renovado" [Rio de Janeiro City Hall delivers renovated Piscinão de Ramos]. Prefeitura da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro - prefeitura.rio (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 9 November 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ "Com 30 mil litros de água e reformado, Piscinão volta a alegrar cariocas" [With 30,000 liters of water and renovated, the Piscinão is once again bringing joy to Rio de Janeiro residents]. VEJA RIO (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 11 October 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ "Piscinão de Ramos receberá o nome do cantor Dicró, no Rio". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 11 June 2013. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ Novelas, Amo (28 June 2008). "Amor e Intrigas - Resumo dos capítulos 191 a 200 da novela da Record". Amo Novelas (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 3 February 2026.