The oldest library in the world

The Bertrand bookstore is the oldest bookstore in the world, recognized by Guinness World Records. It has been in operation since 1733 and it was the first of more than 50 others that are spread across the country.

About twenty years after its foundation, the bookstore was hit by the earthquake that occurred in Lisbon, followed by a tsunami and several fires, but fortunately in 1773 the building was rebuilt and returned to its functioning.

Several names from the literary world passed through the runners of the bookstore. Antero de Quental, Alexandre Herculano and Eça de Queirós are some of the names that gathered to debate politics and literature.

The Bertrand Almanac, which is part of the bookstore's history, was published between 1899 and 1969. Recently in 2011 the almanac was republished when the bookstore was named the oldest in the world.

In the present days the bookstore has a cafe where you can sit and calmly read your book, while having a delicious coffee.