Lello

Lello most commonly refers to Livraria Lello & Irmão, a historic bookstore in Porto, Portugal. Opened in 1906 by the Lello family, it has become one of Portugal’s enduring literary landmarks. The building blends a Neo-Gothic exterior with an Art Nouveau interior, notable for a dramatic red staircase, carved woodwork, and a large stained-glass skylight.

Today the bookstore operates as a shop and cultural site, attracting visitors from around the world and standing as a major tourist destination and architectural highlight in Porto. It is frequently cited as one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores and remains active as a bookseller.

In popular culture, Livraria Lello is often associated with J.K. Rowling, who lived in Porto in the early 1990s and reportedly drew inspiration from its interiors for descriptions of the Hogwarts library, though Rowling has not officially confirmed this connection.

Lello is also a surname of Italian and Portuguese origin, and may refer to people who bear the name.