#TurismoMacabro: El Mercado de Sonora

By: Casandra Vicario.

A place where magical arts and beliefs come together in Mexico City is the Mercado de Sonora, located in the Colonia Merced Balbuena, which was inaugurated in 1957 by then-President of the Republic Adolfo Ruiz Cortines and Ernesto Uruchurtu.

It was originally known as the "Bath House Market," since it offered vendors restroom and shower facilities; later it became known as "The Witches' Market" or "The Animals Market," since all kinds of species were sold there.

Its name comes from its proximity to a movie theater called "Sonora." This market is visited by many tourists, both Mexican and foreign; it's said that close to 2,000 people visit it every weekend in search of the perfect magical remedy to combat whatever problem they may be suffering from.

Today it is known for the section where herbs and items related to magic and the occult are sold, along with Santa Muerte, San Judas Tadeo, Santería, Shamanism, and more.

For example, you can find dried snakes, sold as a remedy against cancer, dried skunks, a remedy for strengthening the blood, ocote-wood crosses for protection, and the famous deer's eyes used to fight off the "evil eye."

But without a doubt, the most popular items are the remedies or potions used to find love or bring luck in that department; some of the most popular are the "man-catcher," the "come to me," and one of my favorites, "tame the handsome ones."

The Mercado de Sonora is also the perfect place to buy everything you need for Día de Muertos, from papel picado to candles, sugar skulls, and much more.

The Mercado de Sonora is located at Av. Fray Servando Teresa de Mier No. 419, Col. Merced Balbuena, in the Venustiano Carranza borough, and has its own website: www.mercadosonora.galeon.com (abre en nueva pestaña)