The La Merced Market is a traditional public market located in the eastern edge of the historic center of Mexico City and is the largest retail traditional food market in the entire city. At one time, nearly the entire neighborhood was filled with market stalls and in the s it was decided to build a permanent market on the grounds of the old La Merced monastery. In the first half of the 20th century, this market was the major wholesaler for the entire city.
It is estimated that about one third of these prostitutes are underage. The market area also generates about tons of trash daily. The name La Merced is synonymous with commerce in the city. The market and neighborhood is located on the far eastern side of the original layout of Mexico City after the Conquest.
Here many traders arrived with wares from near and far. Most of this monastery has since disappeared, leaving only its cloister with its Plateresque decoration. Another involves an indigenous chief who received money for being a spy for the Spaniards and was found out. It is said that when this happened, he sat still never moving until he died of sadness. By the end of the 18th century, almost the entire neighborhood was one great market, which became bigger when the markets of the Zocalo area were banished around the same time.
In the s, it was decided to put the market under a roof, and the buildings were constructed on the old monastery grounds. At that time, the Central de Abasto market was created in the south of the city to take over and modernize the wholesaling of foodstuffs, especially produce and meat. In , a fireworks stand in La Merced exploded , which killed more than 60 people. No one was killed or injured and the cause was suspected to be faulty wiring. It took over firemen more than three hours to get the fire under control.
The largest building of the complex is dedicated mostly to the sale of fruits and vegetables. Other buildings sell household items such as juicers, tinware, spoons, cleaning supplies and much more. Work begins here in the very early morning hours and ends in the evening.
