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The 5 Oldest Bookstores In The World: A Journey Through Centuries Of Literary History

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Step inside a bookstore founded centuries ago, and you don't just find books; you step into a living, breathing history of literature, culture, and resilience. As of today, December 23, 2025, the official title of the "Oldest Operating Bookstore in the World" belongs to a venerable establishment in Lisbon, Portugal, a place that has survived one of the most destructive natural disasters in European history. This article takes a deep dive into the world's most ancient literary havens, exploring the stories, the famous patrons, and the historical events that have cemented their place in the record books.

The distinction of the "oldest bookstore" is often debated, sometimes hinging on the definition of "continuously operating." However, the definitive, globally recognized holder of the title is a Portuguese institution that has been a cultural cornerstone for nearly 300 years, proving that the love of the printed word is a force stronger than time itself.

The Undisputed Champion: Livraria Bertrand (1732)

The global consensus, cemented by the Guinness World Records, names the Livraria Bertrand in Lisbon, Portugal, as the world's oldest operating bookstore. Founded in 1732 by Peter Faure, a French immigrant, the original shop quickly became a cultural hub in the heart of the city.

A History Forged in Fire and Resilience

The story of Livraria Bertrand is inseparable from the history of Lisbon itself, particularly its incredible resilience. Just 23 years after its founding, the devastating 1755 Lisbon earthquake—followed by a tsunami and fires—destroyed much of the city, including the original bookstore. The shop was forced to close and relocate, but Faure’s son-in-law, Pierre Bertrand, and his brother, Jean, were determined to rebuild the business.

They reopened the store in a new location in the elegant Chiado district in 1773, where the flagship store remains to this day. This relocation and continuous operation, despite the catastrophe, is the key to its world-record status.

The Literary Salon of Portugal

The Bertrand Chiado store has long served as a meeting place for Portugal's greatest literary minds, transforming the space into an unofficial cultural and political salon. The store is divided into several vaulted rooms, each named after a famous Portuguese author who frequented its aisles.

  • Fernando Pessoa: One of Portugal's most significant literary figures, known for his heteronyms, was a regular patron.
  • Alexandre Herculano: The 19th-century historian credited with ushering in the Romanticism movement in Portugal.
  • Eça de Queirós: A master of Portuguese realism, whose works are still celebrated today.
  • Other Notables: The list of illustrious patrons also includes Antero de Quental, Ramalho Ortigão, Miguel Torga, and Bocage.

Today, Livraria Bertrand is not just a single historic shop; it is a national chain with over 59 branches across Portugal, including two in Madeira, but the Chiado location remains the spiritual heart of the company.

The Oldest Contenders: Historic Bookshops Around the Globe

While Livraria Bertrand holds the official title, several other venerable institutions lay claim to being the "oldest" under different criteria, such as the oldest in a specific country or the oldest continuously operating on a continent. These historic bookstores are crucial entities in the global literary landscape, each with a fascinating story of survival.

2. Moravian Book Shop (1745) - The Oldest in America

Founded just 13 years after Bertrand, the Moravian Book Shop in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, proudly holds the title of the oldest continuously operating bookstore in America. Established in 1745 by the Moravian Church, the shop was initially a small operation serving the local Moravian community.

Its continuous operation for over 275 years is a testament to its deep roots in the community. The shop is not only a retail space but also serves as the Moravian University student bookstore, blending its historic legacy with modern academic life. It has survived the American Revolution, the Civil War, and numerous economic downturns, cementing its status as a vital piece of American literary and religious history.

3. Hatchards (1797) - The Oldest in the United Kingdom

Located on the famed Piccadilly in London, Hatchards is the oldest bookstore in the United Kingdom, founded in 1797 by John Hatchard. It has the rare distinction of having moved only once in its long history—a mere few doors away from its original spot in 1801.

Hatchards is renowned for its five floors of literary treasures and for holding three Royal Warrants, a prestigious honor that signifies its status as a bookseller to the British Royal Family. Its long-standing tradition of literary excellence and its location in the heart of London's literary history make it a mandatory stop for any book lover.

Beyond the World Record: Other Ancient European Literary Entities

The history of European bookselling is rich with establishments that pre-date the 19th century. While they may not be the world's oldest, their significance to cultural history is immense. Mentioning these entities adds significant topical authority to the subject of ancient bookstores.

4. Librairie Galignani (1800/1801) - Europe's Oldest English-Language Bookstore

Situated on the elegant Rue de Rivoli in Paris, Librairie Galignani was founded around 1800 or 1801 by Giovanni Antonio Galignani. While not the oldest bookstore overall, it holds the distinction of being Europe's first English-language bookstore.

The Galignani family's publishing history dates back to the 17th century in Venice, but the Paris shop became a vital intellectual bridge between English and French literary worlds, hosting countless writers and intellectuals over two centuries. The shop is famous for its intricate, wood-paneled interiors and its commitment to curating a world-class selection of books in both languages.

5. Other Notable Historic Bookstores

The global competition for the title of "oldest" is a testament to the enduring power of books. Other important entities that contribute to the history of bookselling include:

  • Livraria Lello, Porto, Portugal: Though only founded in 1906, it is one of Portugal's oldest and most beautiful, often mistaken for one of the world's oldest due to its fame and the J.K. Rowling connection.
  • Argosy Book Store, New York, USA: A massive, six-story establishment founded in 1925, known for its rare books and maps.
  • Morpurgo, Trieste, Italy: An old contender often mentioned in lists of historic European bookshops.
  • Strand Book Store, New York, USA: Famous for its "18 Miles of Books" and a cultural landmark, founded in 1927.
  • Higginbotham's, Chennai, India: Established in 1844, it is one of the oldest bookstores in India.

The Enduring Legacy of the Ancient Bookshop

The survival of these ancient bookstores—from the narrow, vaulted rooms of Livraria Bertrand in Lisbon’s Chiado to the historic brick facade of the Moravian Book Shop—is a powerful counter-narrative to the idea that physical books are obsolete. They have withstood the rise of mass printing, the seismic shift of the digital age, and the existential threat of natural disasters like the 1755 Lisbon earthquake.

Visiting one of these literary landmarks is more than a simple shopping trip; it is an act of pilgrimage. The smell of old paper, the creaking floorboards, and the centuries of literary ghosts—from Fernando Pessoa to Eça de Queirós—remind us that these are not just retailers. They are cultural institutions, time capsules, and enduring symbols of humanity's commitment to knowledge, imagination, and the written word. They continue to thrive, not just as tourist attractions, but as vital centers for the next generation of readers and writers.

The 5 Oldest Bookstores in the World: A Journey Through Centuries of Literary History
oldest bookstore in the world
oldest bookstore in the world

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