Manifesto Market: An Urban Market Developed on a Former Wasteland in Prague

Manifesto Market, a gastro and cultural market located on a former wasteland in the heart of Prague, became city’s new and hot must-visit place. Pointing to the organizer’s penchant for the future city and international flare, the market is completely cashless. Founded by the design-focused nonprofit organization, reSITE, and designed by a trio of young female architects, Manifesto is built by 27 containers.

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Manifesto is not a typical marketplace or food hall. In an intimately designed and comfortable place, the curators make cuisine from white table cloth restaurants accessible at street food prices. The daily program of top local DJs, live music, performance, summer cinema and classes is attracting those seeking a cultural experience and is free.

“It was a provocative and bold combination, much like Manifesto’s mission: to push for the innovative use of Prague’s cityscape while stimulating the senses.” – The New York Times

No less inspiring, Manifesto has revived a forgotten corner and “no go zone” in the very center of Prague, to bring locals in contact with visitors, businesswo/men and hipsers. Two dozen top local purveyors, restaurants, chefs and Czech microbreweries offer special menus that cannot be found elsewhere in the city.

Manifesto is a truly collaborative project, connecting good ideas with resources, and was initiated by the founder of the non-profit organization reSITE, Martin Barry, in collaboration with local cultural powerhouse, Aerofilms. Penta Real Estate lent the former brownfield as they await the permanent redevelopment designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. Manifesto Market is the first fully cashless place in the Czech Republic and one of the first in Central Europe, thanks to a partnership with Mastercard. Another private partner is the design brand mmcité.

“Evaluating the first months of existence of Manifesto that opened on June 8^th, 2018, everything has come together beyond our dreams. The place is buzzing with interesting stories and life since the very first night. Everyday, we welcome a very diverse cross section of visitors – more locals than foreigners – and we counted more than 25 nationalities working at Manifesto and about 150 jobs created. All those people are crucial to making a now landmark destination in Prague.”

“We will continue allow people to enjoy outdoor spaces in the city during every season and bring people together. That’s one of our missions at Manifesto. Because it’s colder, we have changed the experience to enjoy the city just like we can in Quebec or Paris under the warm glow of infrared heaters and fires. Our main attraction will be special transparent heated bubbles which some visitors might have experienced in London and NYC’s rooftop cafés. This fall or winter, you won’t need to go to Krkonose mountains or the Alps to roast a sausage on an open fireplace. You can do it with us at Manifesto,” explains Martin Barry, founder of the popular gastro and culture market.

Manifesto Market: what’s there

20 well curated food and drinks concessions offer street food-style concepts from Czech to global specialties. For the Christmas season, some of Manifesto’s restaurants offer themed menus with fish, oysters and seafood, including a lobster aquarium from Matteo de Carli’s Ryba je ryba. Miska by Zátiší and a Pho Bar located in three containers are a great new addition to the market.

Manifesto’s seasonal menus focus on hot drinks, mulled wine, punch, warm dishes, soups and tasty romantic treats such a mini pancakes, while keeping the international variety with all of the favorite recipes you can come to know at Manifesto.

Dozens Czech designers and artwork by local artists, selected and curated by Lemarket, co-create a unique holiday experience in this truly inspiring and highly aesthetic environment.

Where is Manifesto Market?

Manifesto is located on Na Florenci Street in Prague 1, a few steps from transportation hubs – Masaryk Train Station, Florenc Bus Terminal, two metro stops and a shopping artery Na Prikope in the historical center of Prague. The land underneath the highway used to be a deserted area, noisy, dusty and lifeless – those characteristics have changed completely. Manifesto is already searching for other locations, indoors and out.

Project Quick Facts

• Manifesto is the first fully cashless place in the country.
• Around 150 jobs were created.
• Zero public subsidies.
• Gastronomy and innovation incubator.
• Initiated by an NGO, the project was only possible thanks to several collaborations with major private companies, which is an unprecedented cross-sector collaboration
• Architecture was designed by three young female architects, two of them winners in an initial student competition.
• Prague City Tourism has ranked Manifesto among top 4 things to do in Prague– right after the Castle.
• 70% of our visitors are locals.
• Manifesto is made by 27 containers and includes 20+ food concessions on one spot. Additional 20 stands and 4 winter igloos were added to the design.
• Manifesto has gotten proposals to expand locally and internationally.

Read our interview with the project initiator and founder of Manifesto Market, Martin Barry here…