Ciudadela Market

The market is located in the Ciudadela (citadel) neighborhood, which is in the southwest corner of the historic center of Mexico City, 15-minuteswalk from the Alameda Central, near Metro Balderas.

[1][2] The market and neighborhood are named Ciudadela after a building which was constructed in the late 18th and early 19th century, and influenced the austere architecture of the area.

[1] The plaza and surrounding streets are also known to be an area for men and women looking to casual sex at night (not prostitution), despite efforts by the city to discourage the practice.

[5][1] Wares include clothes, alebrijes, furniture, jewelry, glass, textiles, ceramics, hammocks, tile-framed mirrors, silverware, cartonería, rugs, trays from Olinalá, sombreros and musical instruments.

[2][5][1] The market was established in 1965 as part of preparations for the 1968 Summer Olympics, when the Mexican government convened artisans from all over the country to bring their handcrafts to the city to demonstrate them for the event at the site.