Livraria Lello
Book store · Vitória ·
Bookstore with Neo-Gothic interior and iconic staircase
Bookstore with Neo-Gothic interior and iconic staircase
"Much‑photographed and, yes, worth the wait, this neo‑Gothic bookstore remains an essential stop for first‑time visitors." - CNT Editors
"This bookshop's distinctive architecture gives it historical and artistic value. It has been recognized as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world by many and it served as inspiration for J.K. Rowling´s Harry Potter." - Ana Bárbara & Armindo Araújo
"A few hundred meters away, this iconic bookstore is considered by some to be the most beautiful in the world." - The MICHELIN Guide
"Visit one of the oldest — and most beautiful — bookstores in the world: Livraria Lello." - Lindsay Cohn Lindsay Cohn Lindsay Cohn is a writer, editor, and avid traveler who has visited 45 countries across six continents — and counting. She contributes to Travel + Leisure, Hotels Above Par, InsideHook, Well+Good, T
"When you first enter Porto’s Livraria Lello, you might think that you’ve entered a church instead of a bookstore. Its art nouveau façade hides a beautiful Neo-Gothic interior, with a stained glass ceiling, carved wood paneling, and a breathtaking, curvaceous staircase that stretches across the store. Designed by Xavier Esteves, over the windows can be seen figures painted by José Bielman, representing “Science” and “Art.” Along with a stained glass window bearing a monogram of “Lello and Brother” with their motto Decus in Labore (“Honor in Work”), are plant motifs and geometric shapes. Opened in 1906, Livraria Lello is an established bookstore, but it has certainly aged well over the years. It is consistently named one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world." - ATLAS_OBSCURA