There is no question that some of the places I visited and experienced during my recent trip to Porto have striking similarities to the Harry Potter universe. Rowling has mentioned that she started writing the first book in her native England, she continued developing the story and drew inspiration from her surroundings in Porto. It wasn’t long before her relationship ended further adding to a tumultuous few years. During her time in Porto, she married a Portuguese native (whom she met while teaching) and shortly after, gave birth to a girl. She moved to the city to teach English as a second language and to make some money doing so. Her mother had recently passed away and her house was robbed before her move to Porto. Rowling has expressed her love of Porto, it was a very dark time in her life and a time she rarely speaks about. Rowling brought the world of Harry Potter to life, she lived in Porto teaching English for several years.

While I knew that the books have influence from London and Edinburg, I never new Porto had its own influence until I started researching my trip.īefore J.K. Along with millions of people around the world, I too, enjoy some good magic, wizardry and witchcraft. Although I know movies can never do the books justice, I have a pretty good sense of what that entire world looks like. With that said, I am a huge fan of the movies and have been lost in the Harry Potter universe too many times to count. I’d like to start off by admitting that I have not yet read the Harry Potter books and after visiting Porto, I feel more inclined to do so.

Ministry of magic tiles