Perhaps one of the most famous bookstores in the world. This fame can be attributed to the 'push' given by the Harry Potter series of books and films. I'm talking about Lello Bookstore, based in the city of Porto, northern Portugal, which is a place full of stories to tell. In this text, I will talk about some interesting facts about one of the most visited tourist attractions in Porto and Portugal.
Foundation: The Porto bookstore was founded in 1881 by brothers José and Antônio Lello and was named Lello & Irmão. The two brothers were known in the city of Porto for being cultured and elegant and worked selling and publishing books. They were called 'united brothers'.
The building: On January 13, 1906, the building where Lello is located to this day was inaugurated. It was the cultural event of the year in the city of Porto and brought together several politicians and bigwigs of the time. The project was designed by architect Xavier Esteves and the building still impresses today.
The stained glass: In neo-Gothic style, the building took just over two years to complete. The impressive stained glass ceiling is very eye-catching and has the anagram of the brothers and a Latin phrase, which means “Dignity in Work”.
The ladder: But the main protagonist of the bookstore, despite the stained glass windows, statues, busts of writers and bas reliefs, is, without a shadow of a doubt, the crimson staircase, with its beautiful shape and color that are beautiful examples of the architecture of the time.
The fame: It is considered by many publications to be one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. In 2014, CNN carried out a survey of its viewers and Lello was voted the most beautiful bookstore in the world. But it was not just that. In 2008, the British newspaper The Guardian chose her as the third most beautiful in the world. Travel + Leisure claims that Lello is one of the most stylish bookstores.
The entrance: Since 2015, due to the avalanche of tourists, Lello started charging admission for anyone who wants to enter. But the value is discounted for those who buy a book.
The culprit: This interest in the bookstore has a culprit: the British writer JKRolling, author of the Harry Potter saga, who lived in the city and said that she was inspired by the bookstore and in particular by the staircase, to write her famous books.
The numbers: In 2017, Lello received more than one million visitors. And sold more than 357 thousand books. It is one of the best-selling in the country.
Beautiful, isn't it? It's really worth arriving early and waiting in less line to visit one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. But it will be difficult to take that photo without anyone around, but getting to know Lello from the inside is an experience that will remain in your memory forever.