Mercado 10 de Agosto is one of Cuenca, Ecuador’s most iconic and
vibrant traditional markets.
Located at Calle Larga 1147, just a block from Plaza de San Francisco and near
Parque Calderón, it serves as a bustling hub for locals and visitors alike.
The market is housed in a simple building adorned with stained glass windows,
and on busy days, vendors spill out onto the surrounding streets. Inside,
you'll find a kaleidoscope of fresh produce, meats, flowers, and hot meals,
all reflecting the rich agricultural bounty of the region.
Beyond its role as a marketplace, Mercado 10 de Agosto is a cultural
institution. It recently celebrated its 71st anniversary with a four-day
festival that included culinary tours, cooking classes, and live music. The
market was also honored as an official Gastronomic Market of Ecuador,
underscoring its importance in preserving and showcasing traditional Cuencan
cuisine. Visitors during the celebration could learn to prepare dishes like
hornado (roast pork), mote pillo (hominy with eggs), and llapingachos (potato
patties with peanut sauce), deepening their appreciation of local flavors.
The market also offers a glimpse into the spiritual and mystical side of
Andean culture. On Tuesdays and Fridays, visitors can receive a “limpia,” a
soul-cleansing ritual performed by local healers. Upstairs, the “Mamas” sell
herbal remedies and magical potions said to attract love, wealth, or ward off
bad energy. Whether you're shopping for ingredients, enjoying a traditional
meal, or exploring the spiritual offerings, Mercado 10 de Agosto is a
place where Cuenca’s heart beats loudest—full of color, flavor, and community
spirit.
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Vendors on the street in front of the market
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One of the market aisles with local fruits and vegetables
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Stall with local fruits and vegetables
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Stall selling varieties of potatoes from the region
The
Cuenca region of Ecuador is part of the Andean highlands, a cradle of
potato biodiversity.
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Ecuador is home to around 350 varieties of potatoes, though only about
14 are commonly found in markets. These varieties are broadly
classified into native and improved types. Native potatoes, such as
Chaucha and Cecilia, are cultivated through traditional methods and
prized for their flavor and adaptability to high-altitude conditions.
Improved varieties like Super Chola and INIAP-Puca Shungo (Red Heart)
are developed for higher yields and disease resistance, often
featuring vibrant colors and antioxidant-rich properties.
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Potatoes in Cuenca are typically grown by small-scale farmers on plots
under five hectares, often at altitudes between 2,200 and 3,600
meters. The challenging conditions—low soil fertility, frost, and
drought—mean that these crops are usually pesticide-free. Farmers use
organic fertilizers like Bokashi and homemade biopesticides to
maintain soil health and reduce chemical use. Despite the diversity,
potato productivity in Ecuador remains relatively low compared to
neighboring countries, and many farmers rely on saved seed, which can
lead to degeneration and pest issues.
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Culturally, potatoes are central to many traditional dishes in Cuenca
and across Ecuador. Locro de papa, a thick potato soup often made with
multiple varieties including papa Chola, is a staple. Other dishes
like papas con cuero (potatoes with pig skin) and tamal de papa
(potato tamale) showcase the versatility of the tuber. These meals
reflect indigenous culinary traditions and the resourcefulness of
local communities in using every part of the ingredients available to
them.
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At the August 10th Market in Cuenca, a variety of potatoes are sold
fresh from surrounding villages. Shoppers can find native types like
Chaucha and Cecilia alongside improved varieties such as Super Chola.
These potatoes are often displayed in vibrant piles, with vendors
offering advice on which type is best for soups, stews, or frying. The
market’s produce section is a sensory feast, and the potatoes—earthy,
colorful, and diverse—are a cornerstone of the local diet and culinary
heritage.
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Another market aisle with local fruits and vegetables
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Stalls with a wide variety of local fruits
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In the center of the market, local healers wait for customers to
perform spiritual cleansings with herbs
Spiritual cleansings in Cuenca, Ecuador—known as
limpias—are deeply rooted in Andean traditions and are practiced
to purify the mind, body, and spirit.
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These rituals are typically performed by curanderos or herbal
healers who use a combination of sacred herbs, eggs, and smoke to
remove negative energy and restore balance. The egg is often rubbed
over the body to absorb spiritual impurities, while aromatic herbs
like rue and basil are used to sweep away bad energy. Sacred smoke,
usually from palo santo or incense, is wafted around the person to
complete the cleansing process.
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These ceremonies are not only therapeutic but also spiritual, often
invoking ancestral spirits and natural forces such as the earth,
water, and sky. Practitioners may chant or pray during the ritual,
creating a meditative atmosphere that enhances the healing experience.
The limpia is believed to help with emotional distress,
physical ailments, and spiritual blockages. Many locals turn to these
healers during times of personal crisis, while visitors seek them out
for cultural immersion and spiritual renewal.
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Holistic healing centers like Colibrí Azul in Cuenca offer ancestral
limpias alongside other modalities such as reiki, gem therapy,
and sound healing. These centers blend ancient wisdom with modern
wellness practices, providing a comprehensive approach to spiritual
health. The healers often tailor the ritual to the individual's needs,
using diagnostic tools like tarot or pendulums to identify energetic
imbalances before proceeding with the cleansing.
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At the center of the 10 de Agosto Market in Cuenca, spiritual
cleansings are performed in a lively and public setting. Local healers
offer limpias for a modest fee, using eggs, herbs, and flower
water to cleanse clients of negative energy and ailments like “mal
ojo” (evil eye). The ritual may include rubbing the body with an egg,
brushing with herbs, and even spitting flower water as part of the
purification. These sessions are popular among locals and tourists
alike, with some healers drawing long lines of clients eager for
relief and renewal.
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Woman being massaged by a healer
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Man being flogged with herbs by a healer
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Corridor on the first floor of the market
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Indigenous woman doing her shopping
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Stalls selling medicinal plants
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Stall selling plants for spiritual cleansing
«Cleaning is
done. The evil eye in the hair is cured.»
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Corridor of stalls selling local flowers
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The man is now massaged by the healer
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Stall selling dried grains
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Christ Child
At the 10 de Agosto Market, there exists a
statue of the child Jesus that captures both innocence and divine
majesty.
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The figure stands barefoot on a bed of clouds, arms raised high to the
sky in a gesture of spiritual triumph. Dressed in a soft pink tunic
cinched with a blue ribbon belt, the statue radiates warmth and
purity. The caption beneath it reads “Yo Renaré Divino,” which
translates to “I Will Reign Divine,” a declaration of sacred authority
and hope. This image is often associated with the Niño Viajero,
a revered representation of the Christ Child that plays a central role
in Cuenca’s religious traditions.
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The statue’s symbolism is deeply woven into the cultural and spiritual
fabric of the city. Its raised arms suggest a call to heaven, a plea
for divine intervention or a blessing upon the people. The pink tunic
and blue ribbon evoke themes of love, compassion, and celestial
protection. The clouds beneath the feet reinforce the idea of
transcendence, placing the child Jesus in a realm between earth and
heaven. This visual language resonates with believers who seek
comfort, healing, or guidance through their faith.
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Such statues are not merely decorative—they are focal points for
devotion. They often appear in homes, churches, and public spaces,
surrounded by offerings and prayers. The phrase “Yo Renaré Divino”
serves as both a proclamation and a promise, reminding worshipers of
the enduring presence and power of the divine child. In Cuenca, this
particular image is cherished not only for its beauty but for its
spiritual potency, especially during religious festivals like the
Pase del Niño Viajero, where it is paraded through the streets
in elaborate processions.
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At the 10 de Agosto Market, a statue of the child Jesus with arms
raised and dressed in a pink tunic stands quietly in the center,
surrounded by candles and fresh flowers. This humble shrine is a place
of reflection and prayer for market-goers, many of whom pause to light
a candle or leave a floral offering before continuing their day. The
presence of the statue adds a spiritual dimension to the bustling
market, reminding visitors of the divine amid the everyday rhythms of
life.
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Christ suffering tied up, sitting on a throne
A statue of
Christ suffering while tied up and seated on a throne evokes a powerful
image of divine endurance and humility.
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This representation often shows Jesus with his hands bound, a crown of
thorns pressed into his brow, and a solemn expression that conveys
both pain and serenity. The throne, rather than a symbol of earthly
power, becomes a paradoxical seat of suffering—reminding viewers that
Christ’s kingship was forged through sacrifice. Such statues are
common in Spanish-speaking countries, especially during Holy Week
processions, where they serve as focal points for reflection on the
Passion.
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The throne itself is usually ornate, contrasting with Christ’s wounded
form to emphasize the tension between glory and agony. His
posture—seated yet restrained—suggests a moment of stillness before
the crucifixion, a pause filled with spiritual weight. Artists often
sculpt these figures with meticulous attention to detail: the ropes
around the wrists, the folds of the robe, the downcast eyes. These
elements invite the viewer into a contemplative space, where suffering
is not just physical but deeply redemptive.
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In Cuenca, Ecuador, such statues are revered during religious
festivals and housed in churches or private chapels. They are often
surrounded by candles, flowers, and handwritten prayers. The faithful
approach these images with reverence, seeking solace or intercession.
The depiction of Christ tied and enthroned speaks to a theology of
compassion—where divine love is expressed through vulnerability and
endurance.
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At the August 10 Market in Cuenca, Ecuador, a statue of Christ seated
and bound on a throne stands quietly amid the bustle. Surrounded by
flickering candles and fresh flowers, it offers a moment of solemnity
in the heart of daily commerce. Locals pause before it to pray or
reflect, blending spiritual devotion with the rhythms of everyday
life. The statue’s presence in the market underscores how faith
permeates even the most ordinary spaces in Cuenca.
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