The Livraria Lello, commonly known in English as the Lello Bookstore, is touted as the most beautiful bookstore world.
I happen to think this is true.
It is one of the oldest book stores in Portugal and is located in the civil parish of Cedofeita, Santo Ildefonso, Se, Miragala, Sao Nicolas e Vitoria or Porto as I know it.
The bookstore first opened in 1895 and has retained most of its original beauty. There was something magical that occurred the moment I walked in. I can’t explain it exactly, but all of my senses seemed to have come to life. I nearly wept at the beauty of all the books arranged so that I might not miss a single one!
Rumor has it that J.K. Rowling’s inspiration for writing Harry Potter began in this library. She was an English teacher for ten years in Porto in the early 1990s. Lello’s staircase has remarkable similarities to the one described in her writings of Hogwarts.
Had it not been the beginning of my travels, I might have loaded myself down with numerous books. Holding a book in my hand evokes a deep sense of comfort within me, and I have found myself yearning for this comfort lately. But, for today, I have found solace in my moment in this antiquated heaven on earth spot.
And, to finish off this lovely afternoon, a beautiful scoop of lemon-basil gelato served on a cone in the shape of a rose. Oh, it’s going to be a beautiful journey.
Tom and Nancy’s Journeys 