How many stories does the oldest bookstore in the world keep? No one knows, nor can know. Because there are countless memories of a house almost 300 years old. A haven for writers, revolutionaries, and conspirators, No. 73 Garrett Street is in the Guinness Book.

 

Considered one of the most emblematic Portuguese bookstores, Bertrand of downtown Pombaline was officially distinguished by Guinness Word Records as the oldest bookstore in the world still in operation.

 



The first Bertrand, founded by Pedro Faure in 1732, opened its doors on Rua Direita do Loreto in Lisbon. Later, in 1755, when he was already Faures son-in-law, Pierre Bertrand, who ran the bookstore, went to the Chapel of Our Lady of Needs because of the Great Earthquake. Eighteen years later, in 1773, Bertrand reopened its doors in the already rebuilt downtown Pombaline. In José António Saraivas text, “Bertrand - the story of a publisher” we are told by the historian that Bertrand had 11 names and had four addresses.

 

 

•