
Librairie “Lello & Irmao” / “Lello & Irmao” bookshop
Un lieu incontournable si vous visitez Porto, Portugal, la Livraria Lello & Irmao,
A must if you visit Porto, Portugal, the most beautiful bookshop in the World, Lello & Irmao.
En 1881, José Pinto de Sousa Lello a créé une librairie dans la rue d’Almada à Porto, premier emplacement de la librairie Lello, puis il acquière une autre librairie situé rue des Carmélites à Porto et déménage pour créer la Livraria Lello. L’actuel édifice a été construit par l’ingénieur Francisco Xavier Esteves et a été inauguré le 13 janvier 1906.
In 1881, José Pinto de Sousa started a bookshop in Almada Street, Porto, initial site of Lello bookshop, some time after he bought another one in Carmélites Street, Porto which became Livraria Lello’s birthplace. Francisco Xavier Esteves was the engineer in charge of the building construction, inauguration took place on January 13th, 1906.
Sa façade présente des motifs dans un style moderniste et néogothique. Les deux figures situées de part et d’autre de la fenêtre de la façade représentent l’Art et la Science. Elles ont été peintes par José Bielman.
The Neo-Gothic facade is impressive as a whole, but you will notice the top window and the two figures adorning its sides. They were painted by José Bielman and are symbolic representations of Art and Science.

L’escalier / The staircase
À l’intérieur de la librairie, le plâtre est mis en valeur imitant le bois. L’escalier permet d’atteindre l’étage supérieur et on peut admirer les grands vitrages du toit sur lesquels est écrit le monogramme et la devise de la librairie : “Decus in Labore” (“la dignité dans le travail”).
Inside, the ceiling design of the ground floor seems to be made of carved wood but is in fact, painted plaster, a technique also used on the ornaments of the staircase. Climbing the stairs, the stained-glass skylight is magnificent. The insignia in Latin “Decus in Labore” (“Dignity in Work”).

Le vitrail du plafond / Stained-glass skylight

“Decus in Labore”

Le plafond / The ceiling

Antonio Lello
Antonio Lello était un membre actif de la bourgeoisie de Porto et de nombreux cercles littéraires, il a beaucoup contribué avec son frère José, à l’essor de la Culture de la ville.
Antonio Lello was an active and important member of the Porto’s bourgeoisie and intellectual circles. He and his brother, José, were heavily involved in the development of cultural life.
La rumeur dit que J.K. Rowling, s’est inspiré de la Livraria Lello pour les aventures d’Harry Potter, il faut savoir qu’elle enseignait l’anglais au Portugal.
Rumor has is J.K. Rowling was inspired by Livraria Lello while writing Harry Potter, she was at the time teaching English in Portugal.
A noter que Livraria Lello est classée au patrimoine national du Portugal…
Livraria Lello is part of the Portugal National Heritage…
The architectural details are glorious!
Glad you enjoyed the visit, Nanette 😉
Louise—
You have shared so much beauty with us over the years, but I believe this is my favorite!! I love the architecture! When we were in Europe many years ago, I took photos of door knobs and hinges, among other things – all were so ornate and beautiful. Thank you for remembering us after Hurricane Harvey and for continuing to share your travels and great photos!
Diann & Sylvester Walleck from Texas
Friendship doesn’t have any boundary, Diann & Sylvester… thanks for stopping by!
Such an an amazing place, I really have to organize a trip to Porto
Absolutely, you won’t be disappointed… So many things to see and admire. Go my friend, go! 😉
I gotta say WOW – who would look at books in all that splendor. Thanks for sharing Louise.
Upon visiting that bookshop, it’s as if one is taken back to another time. I fully enjoyed visiting Livraria Lello. Glad you enjoyed reading my blogpost Val, thank you!
What a treasure!
Totally worth the visit… Thank you Sheila for stopping by. Have a nice evening.
Belle légende pour cette merveilleuse librairie! Merci
Merci Eveline, bonne soirée!
The photos are amazing. My book-loving heart absolutely loved this!
Thank you for your kind words, glad you enjoyed reading about that awesome place…
Magnificent !!
Absolutely a stunning place!
This is a book church! I love all the details, thank you!
My pleasure…
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Thanks for sharing all this. Wonderful photos. I wouldn’t be surprised about the JK Rowling rumour too.