Even kings: the Copacabana Palace, which houses the Madonna, has received historical figures

Copacabana and Rio de Janeiro are preparing for what promises to be one of the biggest shows in the city’s history: that of the “queen of pop”, Madonna, on Saturday (04/05).

One of the greatest symbols of the famous Rio neighborhood is the Copacabana Palace, a place where several international artists – including Madonna – have stayed and which is usually a point of reference for the stages set up on the sand of the beach. Find out everything about it!

The Belmond Copacabana Palace, better known as Copacabana Palace, is a five-star luxury hotel located on the seafront of Copacabana Beach, opened in 1923.

The idea of ​​building a luxury hotel on the Copacabana seafront was born in 1919, following the enthusiasm of the then president Epitácio Pessoa.

At the time, the city of Rio de Janeiro was anxiously awaiting the Exposition of the Centennial of Brazilian Independence, which would be held in 1922.

The aim was to offer illustrious visitors a place worthy of the grandeur of the event.

The mission to build the hotel was entrusted to the entrepreneur Octávio Guinle, one of the richest men in Brazil at the time.

The architectural project was created by the Frenchman Joseph Gire, who took inspiration from two famous hotels on the French Riviera: the Negresco, in Nice, and the Carlton, in Cannes (photo).

Construction of the Copacabana Palace began in 1919 and lasted four years, being completed in 1923.

The hotel officially opened on August 13, 1923, nearly a year after the Centennial Exposition, due to delays in importing materials, a lack of technology, and a lack of skilled labor in the country at the time.

Furthermore, a strong undertow occurred in the Copacabana sea which destroyed part of Avenida Atlântica, causing damage to the first floor of the hotel.

After its opening, the historic hotel became a symbol of the city and Brazil, being frequented by celebrities, politicians and high society figures.

The hotel has 239 luxurious rooms and suites, spread over six floors, as well as renowned restaurants and leisure areas, a semi-Olympic swimming pool, spa and gym.

Some of the trademarks of the Copacabana Palace are its elegance and refinement, present right from the hotel’s entrance hall.

The hotel also offers a variety of recreational activities, such as yoga, tennis and even surfing lessons.

Additionally, the Copacabana Palace is famous for its luxury events and parties, which have hosted names like Rita Hayworth, Orson Welles and Frank Sinatra (right).

New Year’s Eve at the Copacabana Palace is one of the hottest in the world and attracts celebrities and socialites from all over the world.

So many celebrities have stayed there that the hotel has a book called the “Golden Book,” with the signatures of hundreds of historical figures, from Albert Einstein and Walt Disney to Santos Dumont.

The hotel was also the setting for films such as “Flying to Rio” (1933), starring Fred Astaire, and “Os Cafajestes” (1962), by director Ruy Guerra.

Members of the royal family have also set foot in the Copacabana Palace throughout history. In March 1931, the Prince of Wales, who would become Edward VIII, and his brother, the future George V, stayed at the hotel.

Even the eternal Queen Elizabeth II was at the Copacabana Palace during her only official visit to Brazil, in 1968.

The current British king, Charles III, has been to the hotel on three different occasions: in 1978, in 1991, this time accompanied by his then wife, Princess Diana, and in 2009, accompanied by today’s Queen Camilla.

Like Madonna, several musical artists have also stayed at the hotel: Carmen Miranda, Janis Joplin, Mick Jagger, Justin Bieber, among others.