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Built in 2001 by Garotinho and Petrobras, the Piscinão de Ramos became the largest public leisure space in Rio, with 26 thousand m² and treated saltwater
Built in 2001 to revitalize the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro and offer a free leisure alternative, the Piscinão de Ramos has become one of the most iconic spaces in the city.
Located in the Complexo da Maré, the site attracts visitors from various parts of Brazil and the 13 neighboring communities, drawn by its unique structure and the strong social appeal that has turned it into an icon of popular leisure in Rio.
Origin and Construction
The project emerged during Anthony Garotinho’s administration in partnership with Petrobras.
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The initial idea was to decontaminate Praia de Ramos by creating a stone dam that would isolate the area from Guanabara Bay.
However, since the water body is classified as heritage, the proposal was not approved.
The solution found was to build an artificial lake in the same location, transforming the project into a large leisure complex.
The result was a structure of 26,414 square meters with a capacity to hold up to 30 million liters of water.
The polyethylene lining and containment system ensure the durability and safety of the space.
On busy weekends, the Piscinão has received up to 60,000 bathers, establishing itself as the main leisure point in the region.
Structure and Operation
The Piscinão de Ramos is supplied with seawater drawn from Guanabara Bay and treated at a special station.
The process includes flotation to remove solid debris and sludge, followed by disinfection that makes the water suitable for bathing.
During use, the cleaning system continues to operate, and specific points in the complex apply chlorine to maintain water quality.
The bottom of the lake is protected by a polyethylene lining, preventing contamination of the groundwater. With this technology, the space is considered the only artificial beach in the world with saltwater and a sandy bottom.
Every year, the site is drained for complete cleaning and maintenance, under the responsibility of the Fundação Rio-Águas, which ensures the quality of the environment and the safety of visitors.
Location and Social Importance
Despite the name referencing the neighborhood of Ramos, the Piscinão is located in the region of Complexo da Maré, home to about 140,000 people.
The space serves as a meeting point for residents of the 13 nearby communities and visitors from other areas, establishing itself as the main bathing resort in the northern zone of Rio.
Before the pandemic, the site even recorded a peak attendance of 60,000 users in a single weekend.
Beyond its recreational function, the Piscinão represents inclusion and belonging by ensuring that low-income populations have the right to enjoy a clean, safe area suitable for bathing.
Name Changes and Popular Recognition
Since its inauguration, the space has gone through different names. In 2002, it received the official name of Environmental Park of Praia de Ramos, and in 2012, after the death of the samba musician Carlos Roberto de Oliveira, it was renamed Environmental Park Dicró in honor of the artist.
Even so, the original name — Piscinão de Ramos — remained the public’s favorite and continues to be used to this day.
The nickname has consolidated in popular culture and transcended the borders of Rio, becoming synonymous with democratic leisure.
More than an urban facility, the Piscinão represents a symbolic achievement for the population of the northern zone — a space where music, sun, community, and the typical joy of cariocas meet.
A Symbol of Carioca Culture
The Piscinão de Ramos goes beyond its function as an artificial lake. It symbolizes the capacity for social transformation through urbanism and coexistence. Its creation united engineering and inclusion, and its success solidified the idea that public leisure can also signify quality and dignity.
Today, the site continues to stand as one of the city’s greatest symbols — a space of belonging and celebration of collective life, where Rio de Janeiro reaffirms, with every dive, the strength of its culture and the value of shared joy.
Simplesmente ****.
Os **** sempre romantizando a pobreza, a vulgaridade, o ****… Um lugar sujo, dominado pelo tráfico, assalto a luz do dia, doença de pele e os cana*lhas tentando enganar o povo com esse papinho de balneário. É muita cara de ****! E tem **** alienados defendendo. Kkk…
Pq. Não pode ser chamado de balneário. Besteira. Sim possivelmente uma das ideias foi para as pessoas não irem a zona sul. Mas isso não quer dizer que não seja uma boa ideia.