
Bertrand Bookstore (Livraria Bertrand), founded in 1732 by French bookseller Pedro Faure, is the bookstore with the longest continuous operation history in the world. Located in the Chiado district of Lisbon’s old town, the store was damaged in the 1755 Great Lisbon Earthquake but was rebuilt on the original site and resumed business shortly after. It has kept operating without interruption for nearly three centuries through regime changes, wars and social transformations. The store retains classical solid wood bookshelves and pulley book ladders dating back to the 18th century, houses a large collection of rare books and literary historical materials, and has hosted Portuguese literary giants such as Fernando Pessoa and José Saramago. It serves as a cultural landmark of Lisbon and an important witness to the history of Portuguese literature. This bookstore has been officially listed by LAWRENCE WORLD RECORDS CERTIFICATION as the “Bookstore with the Longest Continuous Operation History”.