Bertrand Bookshop

This week we were on a mission to locate a particular book. 

That quest took us down to the Chiado district of Lisbon to the Bertrand Bookshop.

Opened in 1732 (almost 300 years ago), Livraria Bertrand is considered to be the oldest bookshop in the world still in operation.

This little bookstore has a rich history. A bookseller from France actually opened the shop. It was later purchased by the Bertrand brothers. Things went well for several years. 

Unfortunately, the store was destroyed in the devastating 1755 earthquake. The family, however, showed great resilience and continued with the business in a different location.

When the buildings in the Baixa area were renewed 18 years later, the bookstore moved back to its original neighborhood (Baixa Chiado). 

The building itself looks deceptively small from the outside. However, once you enter inside, an entirely different story emerges. The bookshop is a narrow series of vaulted rooms which stretches back quite far.

Each room is filled with wooden bookshelves stacked from floor to ceiling with all manner of books. 

At the very end of the bookshop, you’ll end up at a café serving up pastries and drinks.

And, as luck would have it, I was even able to sit with Fernando Pessoa, the famous 20th century Portuguese poet, writer, literary critic, translator, publisher, and philosopher.

(However, this day he really didn't have much to say.)

And...did we find that book we were actually looking to purchase...you might ask?

NO.

The quest continues.