Magical bookshops

I visited Porto not so long ago and one of the things I really wanted to do whilst I was there was visit one of its bookstores. But this was not just any bookstore. This was Livraria Lello, said to be the inspiration for J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter novels.

While Rowling lived in Porto, apparently (though it’s never been confirmed) she visited Livraria Lello and was inspired by its beauty, grandeur and impressive design. I can imagine her gazing up at the magnificent, central staircase that winds through the heart of the store and thinking, wow, just like I did.

Harrison Ford was equally impressed when he visited with his wife, Calista Flockhard. He said: “knowledge deserves a beautiful home. This is it.” I couldn’t agree more.

The Neo-Gothic, Art Nouveau architecture is nothing short of breathtaking while the detailed woodwork and large stained-glass window that allows natural light to fill the space only adds to the charm, lending an ethereal,. magical quality to the space

This is a place that inspires—readers and writers alike.

Of course, with so many novels to choose from, I couldn’t leave empty-empty handed. With a fairly extensive English-language section, I ended up purchasing three classics: J.M Barries’s ‘Peter Pan,’ H.G Wells’ ‘The Time Machine; and the novel ‘Love of Perdition,’ by the Portuguese author, Camilo Castilo Branco, who wrote it in the house opposite. The beautiful editions I bought, with its ribbon detail and striking covers, are exclusive to Livraria Lello.

Unfortunately, this bookstore’s charm is not a well-kept secret. It is now so popular, it is advisable to purchase a ticket in advance to secure a time slot for entry. And while the endless stream of crowds meant that leisurely browsing was impossible when I visited , it is still, in my opinion, one of the loveliest bookstores I have been to.

And that means I will definitely return one day and choose more stories to take home with me.