The Harry Potter Bookshop

You’ll find Lello & Irmão, an enchanting bookstore, in Porto, Portugal. The Guardian newspaper classified it as “one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world.” The bookshop itself is fairly central, located on the street Rua das Carmelitas, just a little to the north of the iconic and easy to spot bell tower, the Torre dos Clérigos.

And just what is Lello & Irmão’s connection to Harry Potter and J. K. Rowling? Glad you asked. In 1990, soon after the death of her mother, J. K. Rowling came across an advertisement in the Guardian Newspaper for English teachers who wanted to move to and work in Portugal. After experiencing such a deep personal tragedy, Rowling decided she needed a fresh start, so she moved to Porto and began teaching English at the Encounter English School. She shared an apartment with several other female English teachers in the city, who had come to experience a bit of culture and nightlife.

Although Rowling has publicly stated that she came up with the idea for Harry Potter in England (while on a train), she began writing the earliest draft for the first Harry Potter novel while imbibing wonderful Portuguese coffee in local cafés. No doubt she spent a fair amount of time in the Lello & Irmão bookstore and café.

The resident of Porto (as do many others) suspect that she got her inspiration for the grand staircase at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from Lello & Irmão’s striking, and lavishly decorated central staircase, even though she’s never said so publicly.

In addition to the stairs, the black capes and black cloaks Porto’s resident student population wears out on the streets might have also inspired her. The school attire J.K. Rowling describes for the pupils at Hogwarts in books and Harry Potter movies, like 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone' and the 'Deathly Hallows,' bears a striking similarity to what you'll find in Porto.

The interior of the actual bookshop in Porto is simply breathtaking, with its carved wood, stained glass windows and remarkable red staircase. The façade of the building is Neo-gothic, and the interior Art Deco. The walls seem to come alive with the elaborate decor, creating an almost magical atmosphere. Bronze relief garnishes columns inside, depicting important figures from Portuguese history and literature. A large blue (with a dash of red) stained glass window frames a substantial part of the ceiling.

If you happen to be in Porto, love books, Harry Porter and have the time spare, drop by Lello & Irmão and browse inside.