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Heritage

San Pedro Central Market

Peru

11 story sections

Passing through this iconic landmark of Cusco, you will get an insight into the daily life of locals and how the people here have preserved their age-old traditions and customs.

History & cultureBY TELLBY

Contents

11 sections · tap a section for its opening lines
  1. 1Orientation

    Welcome, fellow traveler and student of human culture, to the Mercado Central de San Pedro. We are standing just a short walk from the historic center of Cusco, a city whose original Incan layout was designed in the shape of a…

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  2. 2The Textile and Artisan Corridor

    As we enter the front aisles of the market, we are instantly enveloped in a brilliant kaleidoscope of woven colors. This section is dedicated to the artisans and merchants who supply both locals and visitors with the textiles for…

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  3. 3The Superfoods and High Altitude Grains

    Leaving the vibrant fabrics behind, we step into an aisle defined by massive burlap sacks and towering mounds of grains and powders. This is the superfood sector of the San Pedro Market. …

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  4. 4The Exotic Fruits of the Jungle and Highlands

    We now transition into the fresh fruit section, where the visual landscape shifts into a riot of tropical and highland colors. The geography of Peru is a remarkable asset. …

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  5. 5The Aromatic Juice Bars and the Culture of Yapa

    Just beyond the fresh fruit displays, the ambient noise of the market shifts. You will hear the whirring, grinding symphony of dozens of heavy duty blenders. …

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  6. 6The Cheese and Cured Delicacies Aisles

    Moving deeper into the market, the sweet and tart aromas of the fruit and juice aisles are abruptly replaced by the rich, sharp, and savory scents of dairy and preserved foods. Welcome to the cheese and cured meats section. …

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  7. 7The Shamanic and Ritual Goods Corner

    We now turn a corner and enter an aisle where the atmosphere shifts dramatically from culinary commerce to profound spirituality. This is the section dedicated to witchcraft, traditional medicine, and shamanic ritual goods. …

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  8. 8The Native Potato and Root Crop Pavilion

    Stepping out of the mystic shadows, we find ourselves surrounded by earth caked baskets and massive piles of tubers. This is the potato aisle, and it is here that we must pay homage to Peru's greatest gift to global agriculture. …

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  9. 9The Butcher's Block and Offal Displays

    Prepare yourself, for we are now entering the butcher's section, the most visceral and unfiltered area of the San Pedro Market. If you are accustomed to the sanitized, plastic wrapped meats of a modern grocery store, this aisle…

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  10. 10The Food Court and Soup Kitchens

    Our journey culminates at the rear of the market in the bustling, steaming, and incredibly loud food court. This is where the raw ingredients we have inspected are transformed into the daily fuel of the city. …

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  11. 11Closing

    As we conclude our journey and walk back out through the iron gates designed by Gustave Eiffel, take a moment to look back at the swirling, noisy, beautiful chaos of the San Pedro Market. In the span of a single hour, we have…

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What is San Pedro Central Market?

San Pedro Central Market is a place in Peru with 11 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.

Key facts
LocationPeru
TypeHeritage
Story sections11
Text languageEnglish
Coordinates-13.5226, -71.9673
Last updated

Nearby places

within a 5-minute walk
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