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Historic Mexico City Markets

The Historic Public Markets of Mexico City are some of the best places to feel and experience just how old the metropolis really is. In fact, one could tell a complete history of the City based on continuing efforts to get vendors off the crowded streets and into shared, more convenient and sanitary quarters.

Such a history would have to begin at the ancient, and giant, marketplace of Tlatelolco. That market was governed from the Tecpan, a building that came to be the capital of the (short-lived) Republic of Indians. But as the pond (La Lagunilla) used for supplying the ancient market dried up, canoes and barges were forced to the very east of the now colonial island city.

The newer Markets came to be named for the La Merced monastery along with the rest of the neighborhood. And they were joined later by famous markets that no longer exist. El Parián opened in 1703. It was followed by El Baratillo, and El Volador.

But few people today realize that the great boom in public markets between 1955 and 1965 had a historic precedent. The Porfiriato also saw a mini-boom. It was noted at the time (1893) by Don Luis Pombo, an early Mexico City statistician. In his work, some of the earliest continuously operating markets are mentioned. Many more are listed below.

Just about all of the other public markets of Mexico City date from the boom in the 50s and 6os, and from thereafter. Mexico City's streets are still alive with vendors, performers, cooks, and the people organizing them. And like so much of history, solving these problems often leaves a legacy of happy results.

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