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First reference to the market
The first version of the Mercado da Ribeira Velha was on the square known as Praça do Pelourinho (now Praça do Município, site of the city hall)
Why is a famous publishing name hanging from the roof of a historic market hall? And why is a team of journalists running one of the world's largest gourmet food spaces? The answers to these questions are in the project's name: Time Out Market.
A concept created from scratch in 2014 by the team at Time Out Portugal, with only the best ideas and business projects in Lisbon - according to the editorial team - which can stay in the market from one week to three years. If it’s good, it goes in the magazine, if it’s great, it goes into the market.
On the one hand, 24 restaurants, 8 bars, a dozen shops and a high-end music venue, all with the very best in Lisbon (the best steak, the best hamburger, the best sushi and the best live performances, amongst others); on the other hand, home to some of the city's best known (and longest-running) market vendors of meat, fish, fruit and flowers.
Today, together, both sides are proud of having turned the building, its immediate surroundings and the whole Cais do Sodré neighbourhood into a huge attraction for visitors, day and night.
The first version of the Mercado da Ribeira Velha was on the square known as Praça do Pelourinho (now Praça do Município, site of the city hall)
The Mercado da Ribeira, now operating in front of the Casa dos Bicos, at the foot of Alfama, was by now renowned abroad.
The great quake that shook the whole city destroyed the old Mercado da Ribeira Velha.
First minister the Marquês de Pombal created a new network of markets, including the Mercado da Ribeira Nova on a spot nearer the current site.
Part of the new market hall as we know it today, designed by Frederico Ressano Garcia, was inaugurated on New Year's Day.
A great fire destroyed part of the building's east wing.
The first project to enlarge the market hall was overseen by architect João Piloto.
It was at this point that the building's cupola was added – prompting the local nickname ‘Mesquita do Nabo’ (Turnip Mosque).
More changes in the Mercado da Ribeira with the addition of new shops and stone counters.
The Mercado da Ribeira saw the end of one of its main activities with the closure of the section where live birds were slaughtered.
More new shops were added in the Mercado da Ribeira.
Now with a new face designed by one of Portugal's leading master clockmakers, António Franco.
With the opening of the MARL supply facility on the edge of town, the Mercado da Ribeira lost its role as Lisbon's wholesale market.
Start of work to upgrade the first floor, with a restaurant and space for events.
The team that founded Time Out Lisboa magazine won the concession to take over part of the market's ground floor and its first floor.
Archaeological excavation in Praça Dom Luís I revealed the existence of a Roman foundry, in use from the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD.
Work finally starts in the area marked out for the Time Out Market concession.
At noon the doors of the Time Out Market opened to the public for the first time.
The concept that Time Out Portugal has developed at Lisbon's Mercado da Ribeira market hall is to be replicated by the Time Out Group around the world.