Harry Potter's Magic Had Its Roots in Portugal: Discover Which Ones

Did you know that part of the magical world of Harry Potter was born on Portuguese soil? Yes, it's true! J.K. Rowling lived in Porto in the 1990s and, during that time, absorbed much of the culture, architecture and atmosphere that was later reflected in the books that enchanted the world. Read on to find out more.

Personal marks of a challenging time

During her time in Porto, Rowling faced difficult moments, but she also found inspiration. It was then that she began to sketch out the plot of Harry Potter and develop characters that would become cultural icons. Portugal, with its rich history and mysticism, ended up leaving a deep mark on her writing.

Porto City as a source of inspiration

While teaching English in the city, Rowling frequented cafés to write — among them the famous Café Majestic, where it is easy to imagine mysterious characters sitting over a cup of tea. The elegance of the space and the classic atmosphere may have helped bring the enchanting style of Hogwarts to life. According to Portugalist, she scribbled notes on café napkins, where, according to rumours, she completed the first three chapters of her first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (later adapted in the US as The Philosopher's Stone).

Opened in 1921, Café Majestic is a true treasure of the Belle Époque, reflecting the charm and grandeur of an era when the elite lived in an almost fantasy world, oblivious to the social and political difficulties of their time. With its fairy-tale atmosphere, the space continues to enchant those who pass by.

Today, the café faithfully preserves the spirit of the 1920s: carved wooden frames, ornamental mirrors and a classic atmosphere inspired by Art Nouveau aesthetics. Although the splendour of the décor harks back to a time when luxury was reserved for the few, today the Majestic welcomes all visitors — without distinction — offering a historic and welcoming experience to those who decide to enter.

The Clérigos Tower: The Greatest Spoiler of All Time

From the top of the imposing Clérigos Tower, in the heart of Porto, you can see the entire city. With over 250 years of history and a spiral staircase with 240 steps leading to the top of the tower, classified as a national monument since 1910, the tower features Baroque-style architecture, crowned by an iron cross that stands out on the Porto skyline.

For attentive fans of the saga, the tower may resemble Hogwarts' Astronomy Tower. In the films, it appears in the distance, imposing and mysterious. Although normally inaccessible to students except for classes, the tower features prominently at key moments in the narrative: in the first book, Harry, Ron and Hermione use the top of the tower to send Hagrid's dragon Norbert to Romania with Charlie Weasley. Later, in one of the most dramatic moments of the saga, Dumbledore is killed by Snape precisely from the top of the Astronomy Tower — an event that profoundly marks the fight against the Death Eaters.

Livraria Lello and the enchanted staircase

One cannot discuss Rowling in Portugal without mentioning Livraria Lello. With its sweeping staircase, colourful stained glass windows and mystical atmosphere, this bookshop looks like something straight out of a spell book. It is no wonder that many believe it inspired parts of Hogwarts, especially the castle's famous moving staircase.

Manuel de Sousa, communications manager at Livraria Lello, told Inverse that the Lello brothers, who founded the bookshop in 1881, really wanted to ‘impress people and entice them to buy books, as the Lello brothers believed that Portugal's development depended largely on the education of its people’.

Although Lello avoids placing too much emphasis on its connection to Harry Potter — it is known as the first bookshop to print relevant Portuguese writers such as Eça de Queirós and Camilo Castelo Branco — the shop still occasionally creates events around the series, such as a Hogwarts-style dinner.

The influence of academic attire

Portuguese university students wear black capes as part of their academic attire — something very similar to the robes worn by Hogwarts students. It is likely that this tradition served as a visual model for the magic school's uniforms.

Dating back to the 13th century, in 1290, the educational institution is the oldest in Portugal and one of the oldest in the world. Due to the long academic tradition of the University of Coimbra, even its school uniforms have a unique history, which Rowling noticed.

Three hundred years ago, a university professor decided that a black uniform — he was careful to choose the darkest shade because it hid any traces of dirt — for all students would make equality possible in the classroom, and it has remained that way ever since.

Strikingly similar to Hogwarts uniforms, the students' almost entirely black uniforms consist of a leather cape, tie, white shirt, blazer and skirt for women, with trousers and an inner jacket for men, complete with a cloak — or, as we know them, long black capes. They also have team colours, one colour representing their diploma and another representing their university.

Dictator Salazar and the Creation of Salazar Slytherin

In Lisbon, the Aljube Museum occupies the building of a former prison used during the regime of António de Oliveira Salazar, the dictator who ruled Portugal for decades. The museum pays tribute to the victims of political repression, revealing the harsh conditions and abuses suffered by prisoners — with isolation cells and reports of torture.

But the name Salazar also aroused curiosity in the world of Harry Potter. Many fans noticed the similarity to Salazar Slytherin, the founder of the house that values ambition and blood purity. In 2017, J.K. Rowling confirmed on Twitter that the inspiration was no coincidence.

Although Slytherin's portrayal in the magical universe is straightforward and dark, Salazar's figure continues to generate debate in Portugal. As guide Martins explains, "he was not a typical dictator like Mussolini or Hitler. He did not order killings, but he did prohibit freedom of expression and imposed a closed regime. He was a fascist, yes, but he also doubled the country's gold reserves. Portuguese history has not yet reached a consensus about him — but in schools, the most common view is that he was a bad man. Perhaps it was this moral simplicity that Rowling decided to take advantage of to create the character."

The Lions Fountain and the Spirit of Gryffindor

In the centre of Porto, next to the University Rectory, stands the Lions Fountain — a meeting place, especially during Academic Week, and an important symbol of the city. The fountain features four winged lions, in a composition that blends the real with the legendary.

Although it has never been officially confirmed as a direct inspiration, the symbolic connection to Gryffindor House is hard to ignore. Lions represent courage, leadership and nobility — core values of the house of which Harry is a leading member. Knowing that Rowling absorbed architectural details to compose her world (such as the Woolworth building in New York, with an owl hidden in its arch), it is perfectly plausible that the Lions Fountain left its creative mark.

Conclusion: Did you know about this connection between Portugal and Harry Potter?

Portugal is more present in the world of Harry Potter than many imagine. For fans of the saga and lovers of Portuguese culture, this connection is simply magical.

Would you like to visit these places in Porto? Did you know about these curiosities? Leave your opinion in the comments! I'd love to know what you think — and if you discovered something new today!