The original bookstore in lisbons chiado neighborhood. And this time, its the age that matters for this category is titles top 5 oldest bookstores on the continent. However, according to wikipedia, the oldest bookshop is the moravian book store in bethlehem, pennsylvania, founded in 1745. Today, bertrand is part of a whole nationwide bookchain of 47 other stores throughout the country. Apparently lisbon airport was pretty busy when we landed. With news this week of the discovery of what could be the earliest known siddur, a jewish prayer book dated at around 840 ad we have put together a list of 10 of the oldest known surviving books in the world today writing and literature are thought to have been first developed between the. Apr 07, 2019 you may not expect the oldest bookstore in the world to be found in portugal. The good news is, that after some lengthy discussions we came to the conclusion that the best solution is to divide this oldest bookstores category into two. O n a recent friday morning, i showed up to moravian book shop a little before the store was to open. Lisbon has one of the coolest and most popular bookstores, ler devegar.
This bookstore is situated close to the city center, near the baixachiado metro stop. Lisbon is home to the oldest bookshop in the world, livraria bertrand. Lisbon, portugal january 22, 20 the largest city in portugal with a population of over three million residents, representing almost onethird of country, lisbon is not only the eleventh most populous urban area in the european union but the largest westernmost city located in europe along the atlantic coast. The oldest bookshop in the world is bertrand pestana cr7. The top 8 things to do in lisbons baixa neighborhood. The lello bookstore was built in 1906 in porto, portugal by the lello brothers antonio and jose who formerly owned another bookstore a few streets away.
On youll read about our personal experiences, the best lisbon tips for both the city. Opened in 1732, it holds the guinness record as the worlds oldest bookstore still in operation. I looked at it from a distance, through glass, and thought how remarkable, the way one would any other work of art. Its second lisbon area location was opened in 1963. Portuguese guinness world records a country to discover. You may not expect the oldest bookstore in the world to be found in portugal. Is the oldest bookstore that is still in operation. Bertrand, in lisbon, oldest bookshop in the world still operating. One of the things that struck me about lisbon was the books. Across the street from livraria bertrand is a bronze fernando pessoa. But in the chiado livraria bertrand in lisbon has a guinness world records certificate to prove it. Livraria bertrand is the oldest bookshop in the world that is still active and open. Livraria bertrand in lisbon is the oldest and largest bookstore chain in portugal.
But for 285 years, the livraria bertrand, as it is known today, has served lisbon s bibliophiles and. Since it was launched in 1732, the bertrand bookstore stayed open, and has thus entered the guinness book of world records as the oldest bookstore in the world still in operation. Where to find englishlanguage books in lisbon atlas lisboa. The biggest outdoor bookstore in the world, this photo doesnt really do the place justice its all about the view. Behind a picturesque facade of blue and white tiles is a wide selection of portuguese writers and also many translations into english. The say theyre the oldest bookstore still in existence in the world. The bulding destroyed, as much of lisbon was, in the 1755 earthquake and the following fires and tsunami, and it was rebuilt in 1773 on the same spot in the ch.
Just behind bertrand on the list of worlds oldest bookstores is moravian book shop, which was founded in 1745. Not only can you find the latest bestsellers in both portuguese and english, youll also find most of. Here, youll stock up on beautifully designed, souvenirworthy editions of classics, or book nerd out with the owners and let them guide you through the packed shelves to mustread authors from countries around the world. Today, bertrand operates a network of 52 shops across portugal. It was open by peter faure to be a hub of lisbon s art and intellectual scene, over time, has become the cornerstone of the bertrand bookstore chain, has more than 50 stores throughout portugal. More than just a bookshop, lellos building is an artistic destination in its own right which, combined with the stores rich heritage, makes it a mustvisit attraction for anyone visiting porto, portugal. It was opened by pedro faure, a portuguese visionary who later sold the shop to the bertrand brothers. Portugal is a country that loves books, with lisbon home to the worlds oldest bookstore in continuous operation. Just behind bertrand on the list of world s oldest bookstores is moravian book shop, which was founded in 1745. According to the guinness book of world records, livraria bertrand chiado is the oldest bookstore in the world. Were going to get to know one of those modest and unique lisbon charms. Then we learn that it was founded in 1732, making it the oldest functioning.
Bertrand happens to be one of the many bookshops in lisbon. If you enjoy books and history, you are going to love this place too. Nevertheless, we decided to stick with bertrand chiado. Portugal is a country that loves books, with lisbon home to the world s oldest bookstore in continuous operation. One of the most enjoyable things about exploring lisbon has been uncovering the existence of some of the finest book housing spaces in the world not long ago i made a day of exploring the mafra national palace library. The bookshop has been operating for 245 years at the same address, but the history of bertrand is even older and deserves a place in the pages of a book. Bertrand livrerrios bertrand chiado is officially the oldest bookshop in the world that is still working, and this title was officialized by guinness book of records in 2011. Aug 21, 2016 bertrand chiado is officially the oldest bookshop in the world that is still working, and this title was officialized by guinness book of records in 2011. The livrarias were everywhere, on narrow streets, downstairs at train stations. Recognized as portuguese capital we can point to 1255, but as a setlement we can go back to preroman times. Feb 25, 2016 o n a recent friday morning, i showed up to moravian book shop a little before the store was to open. Since it was opened in 1742, it has remained in business and is the pm6a2e from alamys library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors.
The original shop opened in 1732 and has stayed open ever since, albeit moving around the city. We didnt find out how they came to that conclusion. Bertrand chiado is officially the oldest bookshop in the world that is still working, and this title was officialized by guinness book of records in 2011. Moravian is the oldest bookstore in the united states, founded in 1745, and has expanded many. During roman times lisbon was called olissipo and there were much more important cities in what is now portugal such as bracara augusta t. The oldest bookstore in the world is in portugals capital established in 1732, bertrand bookshop, located in lisbon, portugal, is the oldest operating bookshop. Livraria bertrand in lisbon is the oldest and largest. Bertrand has been frequented by numerous famous authors, including. Livraria bertrand chiado the worlds oldest bookstore we heart. Apr 07, 2017 bertrand bookstore in lisbon, portugal was opened in 1732 by peter faure. Livraria bertrand chiado the worlds oldest bookstore we. The oldest book store in america and possibly the world is also haunted.
Today, the company oversees more than 50 bookstores, which are located throughout portugal. This was my initial reaction to livraria bertrand the oldest operating bookshop in the world, established in 1732. Oldest bookstore in the world livraria bertrand, lisbon. Having opened its doors in 1732, this store located at rua garrett in chiado has several rooms and a few spots so the visitors can sit and read.
Curiosity of seeing the oldest bookstore in the world. Bertrand holds the title of the oldest bookstore in the world in the guinness book of world records. This place is an obligatory stop if you are walking through the chiado district. Bertrand livreiros rua garrett 73 in chiado is the oldest bookstore in the world still in operation, but it keeps up with the times no problem. Located in the heart of lisbon, next to the opera, this bookstore is considered the oldest bookstore in the world and was declared as such by guinness world records in 2011. Worlds oldest bookstore is in portugal did you know it. Little did i know that when i went looking for the oldest bookstore in the world, i would find, just up the coast of the same country, what could very well be the most beautiful bookstore in the world. The oldest bookshop in the world chiado bertrand, lisbon. Located in the heart of lisbon, portugal is bertrand bookstore, also known as livraria bertrand. Bertrand is the oldest bookshop in lisbon, founded in 1732, and is among the most well known. We love easter because it means vacation and time to eat some chocolate on the way. Bertrand is the oldest bookshop in business, according to the guinness world records. Established in 1732, bertrand bookshop, located in lisbon, portugal, is the oldest operating bookshop. Having first opened in 1732, it was destroyed by the lisbon earthquake of 1755 and rebuilt a short time later in the spot where it can be found today.
Theres plenty here to keep bookworms occupied and happy, and at the top of the list are these independent. But, the university of coimbra in central portugal is the location for one of the world s. Throughout the city, openair markets sell secondhand tomes, and in parque eduardo vii, lisbon holds its annual book fair, set to celebrate its 87th anniversary in 2017. Livraria bertrand at rua garrett 73 in lisbon is the oldest and largest bookstore chain in portugal. A great lisbon earthquake in 1755 destroyed most of the city including the original store. Despite the small size of the bookshop, it got a dramatic collection mostly made of old books about the heritage and history of lisbon. The livraria lello bookstore in porto is one of the world s oldest bookstores, frequently ranked as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, and a top place to visit in portugal. I visited one of the worlds most beautiful bookstores, which. Visiting the oldest bookstore in america and its resident. The original bookstore in lisbon s chiado neighborhood was declared by the guinness book of world records as the oldest, operating bookstore in the world in 2016. Livraria bertrand chiado lisbon, portugal bookstore. Livraria bertrand chiado the worlds oldest bookstore.
The bertrand bookstore in lisbon, portugal also may have a claim to. Livraria bertrand is the oldest operating bookstore in the world, founded in 1732 in lisbon, portugal. It was open by peter faure to be a hub of lisbons art and intellectual scene, over time, has become the cornerstone of the bertrand bookstore chain, has more than 50 stores throughout portugal. The world s oldest bookstore in lisbon one of the most enjoyable things about exploring lisbon has been uncovering the existence of some of the finest book housing spaces in the world. Luckily the business grew a lot, to 51 retail locations and an online store. Explore this historic place in rua garrett, in lisbon. The oldest bookstore in the world is in the middle of lisbon s chic chiado neighborhood, right next to the opera and the coffee shop a brasileira the brazilian, famous for a bronze statue of.
Bertrand chiado in portugal is officially the oldest bookshop. The original shop opened in 1732 and has stayed open ever since, albeit moving around. The bertrand bookstore is considered to be the oldest one still operating in the world. The name portugal first appears in 868, during the reconquista over the muslims. Bibliophiles in lisbon should not miss the chiado neighborhood, home to livraria bertrand, the oldest bookstore in the world. Oldest operating bookstore in the world bertrand, lisbon. The bookstore was opened by peter faure as a small shop in the. The bertrand bookstore in lisbon, portugal has been open since 1732. Portugal is one of the oldest countries in europe having the same defined borders since 1249, almost 800 years ago.
We stopped in here for an english language map of lisbon and we werent disappointed as they had a good guide book selection and maps. The lello bookshop is one of the oldest bookstores in portugal and has been described as the third best bookstore in the world. Bertrand, the oldest bookshop in lisbon and in the world at first glance and except for a guinness book sign on the window, no one would say we are in a special place. I t has changed hands and locations several times and has been renamed 11 different things. The oldest book store in america and possibly the world. May 20, 2019 bertrand is the oldest bookshop in business, according to the guinness world records. Porto is home to what many consider to be the most beautiful bookstore in the world, livraria lello. Porto, portugals livraria lello bookstore inspired jk. They also have english fiction and nonfiction books but not a big selection. Mar 20, 2016 the oldest bookstore, dating to 1732 is located at the typical portugalstreet rua garrett in chiado, lisbon. The oldest bookstore, dating to 1732 is located at the typical portugalstreet rua garrett in chiado, lisbon. Mar 14, 2015 the lello bookshop is one of the oldest bookstores in portugal and has been described as the third best bookstore in the world. Bertrand chiado in portugal is officially the oldest.