The San Miguel de Allende mercado, in this case Mercado Ignacio Ramirez is a big part of the great history of our city. It was built by Zeferino at the end of the 18th century.  As the land was sloping, it was used to create several spaces for merchants. The mercado “market” was a success though it suffered several mishaps throughout the years and the government at that time decided to abolish it and give space to the Plaza Civica which exists to this day. Housing the statue of El “Caballito” of General Allende.

In the early 1950’s the structure which then gave way for the merchants were then permitted to set their stalls in the surrounding streets – Insurgentes, Pepe Llano, Mesones and Relox.. as in the images below on Calle Pepe Llano where the Oratorio Church is in the rear. During the 19th century, local commerce was concentrated in permanent markets, such as the iconic Ignacio Ramírez Market, which began operating in 1858.

La Placita the open-air market of San Miguel de Allende keeps alive a commercial tradition with pre-Hispanic roots. The most representative is the famous La Placita as the locals call it. The Tianguis or “Tuesday Market,” which has been operating in its current location for over 20 years, adapting to the needs of the local community and visitors.

Although open-air markets have been present since Meso-american times, in San Miguel de Allende these spaces have served as vital meeting points where local residents, farmers, and artisans exchange products.

A huge variety of items can be found in la placita: from fruits, vegetables, and typical cuisine (such as carnitas and other snacks), to clothing, shoes, handicrafts, tools, and farm animals.

San Miguel has also adopted new models such as TOSMA the organic market on Saturdays.

Today, the Tianguis municipal market is not only a center for supplies and the local economy, but also a point of social cohesion where Mexican traditions coexist.

I like to go to the placita on Sundays for the breakfast of champions, which is a hot spicy plate of menudo to help cure hangovers, served with handmade tortillas and a tall Coca-Cola in a glass bottle. After my menudo I top it off with a curado de pulque as an Apéritif.