Ghosts & the Supernatural – This haunted bookstore is located at: R das Carmelitas 144;4050-161 Porto, Portugal. I have been to Portugal, I visited a border town in between Portugal and Spain. Unfortunately, I never made it to the Livraria Lello Bookstore……sigh. You can read the full story of my travels to Spain and Portugal here: www.hackwriters.com/madrid05.htm
But now, let’s get back to the bookstore. This majestic bookstore was the inspiration for J.K. Rowling in her Harry Potter stories and when you walk into the place, you can see why. The stairwell is breath taking. Since the Harry Potter books and movies, a flock of tourists come out and see this book store. This bookstore opened in 1869, so there is plenty of history here. J K Rowling and many other famous authors have visited this bookstore. I have one blood relative that visited this bookstore when he was visiting Portugal and his name is Tony Alva. Tony was totally fascinated with this book store. Tony says the outside appearance is not impressive, but as soon as you walk in, you feel like you entered another dimension. A dimension of wonderment. No wonder J K Rowling received so much inspiration from this book store.
Livaria Lello Official Website:
They say that the Livraria Lello is haunted by its founder Ernesto Chardron. A ghost that resembles Ernesto has been seen by a few book browsers. They say that Ernesto is always smiling. I believe if this is the ghost of Ernesto Chardron, he is probably very pleased at what he sees at the Livraria Lello Bookstore. Emilio Barbas says while at the bookstore, he was looking at his reflection in the front entrance window from the inside of the bookstore. While Ernesto looked at his own reflection, he saw behind him a figure of a young man in his 20s. It appeared that the young man had head trauma, he was bleeding from his head. He was a good looking man, good physique and a light beard. He was startled by the appearance of the man behind him and he turned around and there was no one there. Ernesto could not figure out what he saw and as he looked at his reflection over and over again, there was no strange man standing behind him. As Ernesto wandered around the bookstore, a book popped out of the shelf by itself. When Ernesto picked up the book it was titled “Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie”. Ernesto to this day, feels like a ghost was trying to communicate with him at this bookstore.
This gorgeous book shop with its stunning architecture probably is probably haunted by many ghosts. There are book browsers that make claim that they see ghosts that resemble Jose & Antonio Lello. Lolita C, who does not want to be identified by her real name says that she saw Jose and Antonio browsing through the books. When she saw them, she was shocked. Lolita thought they were actors who were dressed up as Jose and Antonio. Lolita was no more that 3 feet away and they just simply vanished in front of her eyes. Lolita knew she saw the ghosts of Jose and Antonio. My notes: If I had to haunt a place, the place I would love to haunt is Livraria Lello Bookstore. I am an avid reader and I love to write articles and books. This bookstore would definitely be my heaven.
Some other reports about this bookstore being haunted is that employees and patrons have heard footsteps, felt someone lightly touching them. One woman said she once felt fingers running through her hair. Books have been moved or have scooted off a shelf. Pages have been flipped over from an open book. A woman while reading a book, felt someone touch her knee and calves from under a table. As you can see this bookstore definitely seems to be haunted. This one is on my bucket list as a place I want to investigate. If you hear any more stories about the Livraria Lello Bookstore being haunted, please email me, I want to know!
By Paul Dale Roberts, HPI’s Esoteric Detective
Halo Paranormal Investigations – HPI International.
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