The saga of the most famous wizard in the world, written by author J. K. Rowling, was a landmark in the history of pop culture. However, the plot that enchanted the world has a series of references to Portugal, since Rowling lived in the country between 1991 and 1993, taking inspiration from the names of characters to the academic costumes used by the students for centuries.

Portuguese university students wear a peculiar uniform, one of the greatest symbols of the university tradition in Coimbra: a long black cape, tie, social shirt, pants for men and skirts for women. This picturesque look nowadays has made the writer incorporate several of these elements into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft students’ outfits, both in books and films. Already in Portugal, you can see them on the campus of the University of Coimbra, where they are used to this day. Dressing the cloak and cassock of one of the world’s oldest universities is synonymous with prestige.

Used since the fifteenth century, these uniforms have undergone several changes over time, becoming a point of curiosity, which catches the attention of tourists and attracts the looks of Harry Potter fans. It is common to see visitors taking pictures with students, who wear the traditional pieces with pride.

With yet another touch of creativity, Rowling also used part of the history of Portugal to incorporate into one of the characters. The medieval wizard Salazar Slytherin – one of the four founders of Hogwarts – was inspired by the dictator Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, who ruled the country between 1932 and 1968, inserting traces of Antonio’s personality in Slytherin.

Even after 20 years of the release of the first book, the Harry Potter saga is far from forgotten, with Lusitanian land as one of the main sources of inspiration and attracting fans from all over the world.

Cover photo: Emanuele Siracusa