Livraria Lello makes its debut on Amazon Prime with ‘The Map That Leads to You’
Considered by many to be the most beautiful bookshop in the world, Livraria Lello now has another reason to be a must-see destination: its debut in the Amazon Prime universe, as the setting for one of the most eagerly awaited productions of the year, The Map That Leads to You. This feature film, directed by Lasse Hallström (Dear John (2010) and Safe Haven (2013)), is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by JP Monninger and promises to take millions of viewers on an emotional journey that crosses culture and romance.
Among the locations chosen to tell this story is Livraria Lello, with special emphasis on its iconic staircase. More than just a setting, Livraria Lello emerges as a symbol: a space of passage, transformation and discovery, mirroring the journey of the protagonists Heather and Jack.
The Story
Published in 2017, The Map That Leads to You won over readers around the world with an irresistible premise: a journey through Europe where love, loss, and impossible choices mark every page. Heather, played in the film by Madelyn Cline, is a young woman who, before committing to the life she has planned in detail, sets off with her friends on an adventure across the European continent.
The unexpected happens when she crosses paths with Jack, played by KJ Apa. He is charismatic, mysterious and carries secrets that shake Heather's certainties. The relationship that develops between the two is not just a summer romance, but a journey of self-discovery.
In the hands of Lasse Hallström, known for his sensitivity in adapting novels for the cinema, this story takes on a new visual dimension.
The Iconic Red Staircase
Among the filming locations chosen by the production, Livraria Lello occupies a central place. The Porto bookshop has welcomed millions of visitors who find not only books there, but also a space where literature becomes a sensory experience.
The staircase at Livraria Lello is undoubtedly its most recognisable feature. Photographed by thousands of visitors every day, it has become not only a calling card for the city of Porto, but also a cultural icon with international repercussions.
A gesture of innovation at the time, the staircase was built in reinforced concrete and covered with plaster hand-painted using the faux bois technique, imitating the grain of wood with great detail and texture. At the back are carved lions, symbols of strength and protection. The curved shape evokes a womb, a representation of welcome and femininity.
The staircase actually acquired its red colour by accident. In 1993, during restoration work, it was mistakenly painted carmine red. The sculptor José Rodrigues saw it and said: ‘It's perfect like this.’ The colour became the hallmark of the house. Its presence is a powerful metaphor: Heather is forced to take unexpected paths, and the staircase reflects this movement of passage and transformation.
The presence of Livraria Lello in The Map That Leads to You is not just a footnote in the bookshop's history, but a milestone in its relationship with the visual arts. By entering the world of Amazon Prime, Livraria Lello asserts itself as a cultural heritage that transcends literature and becomes part of the collective imagination through the seventh art.
Livraria Lello's Relationship with Cinema
Although this is the first time Livraria Lello has appeared in an Amazon Prime production, it is not the first time the space has inspired or hosted audiovisual productions.
The dramatic comedy Don't Read This On A Plane (2020), by Australian director Stuart McBratney, was the first film to be shot inside the bookshop itself. Filming took place at dawn with local extras bringing the scenes to life. The plot follows an American writer travelling through Europe, in a curious parallel with Heather's narrative in The Map That Leads to You.
More recently, in 2021, Netflix was inspired by Livraria Lello to create the setting for Gunpowder Milkshake: Explosive Mix, an action film where a library served as a front for an organisation of professional assassins. The production designer recreated emblematic elements of Lello, in particular the red staircase, transposing to the big screen an environment where books hid weapons and librarians were combatants.
Aurora Pedro Pinto, the bookshop's manager, commented on the metaphor: ‘Books can be weapons — loaded with knowledge, magic and hope.’ A reading that resonates deeply, as it demonstrates how Lello's architecture and symbolism are capable of transcending genres, sometimes serving romantic narratives, sometimes supporting action thrillers.
From the landscapes of the Douro to the neighbourhoods of Lisbon, international cinema has been discovering Portugal as a filming destination. This connection puts Portugal on the global cultural map, highlighting its heritage and showing how traditional, distinctly Portuguese spaces can engage with universal narratives.