When a bookstore became famous Livraria Lello

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Sometimes books really became famous, sometimes their authors became stars.
However at Porto in Portugal there is one bookstore which is extremely famous.

The bookstore is called Livraria Lello. Lello is one of the oldest bookshops of
Portugal and it is high rated in travel guides such as Lonely Planet.



Lello Bookstore in Porto Portugal


History

In 1869, the Livraria Internacional de Ernesto Chardron was founded by the
Frenchman Ernesto Chardron. At the age of 45 Ernesto died. The firm was sold
to Lugan & Genelioux Sucessores.

However in 1881, José Lello along with his brother-in-law created the firm
David Pereira & Lello. After the death of David Pereira the establishment
again changed its name in José Pinto de Sousa Lello & Irmão when José
partnered with his younger brother António Lello.

In 1891, the Chardron Bookstore acquired the establishments of A.R da
Cruz Coutinho and other bookstores in the city. Mathieux Lugan sold his
share in the Chardron bookstores to the brothers Lello in 1894.

Then the brothers hired engineer Francisco Xavier Esteves (1864-1944) to
construct a new bookstore on Rua das Carmelitas.

In 1906, the Lello Livraria was inaugurated.

On 14 December 1981 there was a proposal to classify the store for its
cultural heritage. This took place on 24 March 1994.

In 2015 the Lello bookstore started to ask entrance fees for visitors.



Stairs at Lello Bookstore in Porto Portugal



Architecture


The Bookstore is located near the Porto University Faculty of Sciences
and the Clérigos Church.

The exterior has a mixed architectural suggesting Neo Gothic and
Art Nouveau elements. The Interior has Art Deco elements.



ceiling in Lello Bookstore Porto Portugal




Lello the bookstore




Lello bookstore the ceiling and the stairs





Harry Potter



The Lello bookstore was often visited by J.K Rowling, author of Harry Potter.
The stairs and the interior must have been an inspiration for her writings (it
looks as the moving stairs of Hogwarts).



Lello Bookstore and Harry Potter



Lello Bookstore and its magic






A visit

The Lello Bookstore is easily reachable in the center of Porto. Arriving there,
a huge queue was waiting to us.

We had to wait twice: one for the ticket and one to go inside the shop. It is
so extremely popular.

Although I liked the interior, the stairs, the Harry Potter theme and the shop's
history, it was a bit overcrowded.

A ticket costs 5 euro but it can be reduced when you buy a book.

I took these pictures in May 2019.

Lello Bookstore Porto Portugal

Lello Bookstore Porto Portugal
Location: Porto, Portugal

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