World's Most Astounding and Beautiful Book Stores Series ~ Portugal (Livraria Lello in Oporto)

Here's the third installment of this series.  This bookshop makes you feel

like you are in a different time and era.  Probably because the building is

actually from another time and era (references for the city of Porto go as

far back as the 4th century.)  Livraria Lello Bookshop is in Oporto,

Portugal (also called Porto.)  A very old city with tons of character

and very old buildings.  The old part of Oporto is a Unesco Heritage

site.  Porto is famous for the region that makes port wine. 

The bookshop opened in 1906 and is the flagship store for a

prominent Portugese publishing house.  The facade is a gorgeous

neo-Gothic design.

And of course, the interior is even more stunning. 

The building and interior was designed by Xavier Esteves.  Livraria Lello is

 considered one of the best works of what is referred to as the

“second eclecticism”  style in Portugal  with beautiful art nouveau and

naturalist elements.

Even the bottom of the staircase is ornately decorated.

The ceilings are also decorated with same attention detail.

The stain glass in the roof that serves as a skylight is just stunning.

A fun photo in sepia taken by a tourists.  Devoid of color, you

can really see all of the architectural elements.  Just amazing. If

you are ever in Oporto, Portugal - this bookshop is clearly worth

a visit.

Photos from Flickr an Google Images