Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Peru Lima Mercado de Brujas

Mercado de Brujas

A market for witches is hidden within a train station.

Lima, Peru

Added By
Cynthia Pelayo
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  Gwen Roolf/Flickr
  Gwen Roolf/Flickr
  Gwen Roolf/Flickr
  Gwen Roolf/Flickr
  Gwen Roolf/Flickr
  Gwen Roolf/Flickr
  Gwen Roolf/Flickr
  Gwen Roolf/Flickr
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Mercado de Brujas, or Witch Market, in Lima, Peru sells snake fat for arthritis, smoothies blended with herbs and spices for various ailments—including one with blended with frog, also for arthritis—and black candles for curses, among many other curious items.

Even many locals have never heard of the market, which is within the Gamarra Market and just outside the Gamarra train station.  Keep an eye out for vendors selling python skins, and you have found it. The focus here is on the traditional folk medicine that is widely practiced among indigenous groups and the greater Peruvian society.

You'll find many of health supplements are for sale here. You can find collagen, spirulina, maca root, and aphrodisiacs . Also for sale are palo santo, dried llama fetus, divination cards, charms, soaps, perfumes, crystals and all sorts of things to ward off evil and to attract good fortune.

Ritual items such as snake skins, sea shells, cactus leaves, and hatun hampi (a mixture of local dirt, rocks, seeds, and spices) are the main offering. And if you need guidance, witch doctors and healers are also at the market to help customers through treatments and readings. Around the corner, on the streets leading onto the Gamarra Market, there are snake oil salesmen with microphones performing for crowds.

Related Tags

Occult Witchcraft Markets Magic

Know Before You Go

You can take the train there, get off at Gamarra, which is elevated above street level. The market is in at least three market buildings on the east side of the street beginning just north of the station. Go up strains too; there are mediums offering readings and treatments there. There are many of booths on the side walk and along the street. On the west side of the street is a live animal market. The whole area is part of an enormous market. It's packed, so leave your valuables at home. When things start to close, the line for the train gets very busy but it's easy and cheap to get a cab.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges

Discover Inca Wonders.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

cinapelayo

Edited By

Ember Penumbra, sinemonie, chip520

  • Ember Penumbra
  • sinemonie
  • chip520

Published

January 26, 2014

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.seekerglobe.com/articles/guide-to-witchcraft-markets
  • http://www.thestar.com/life/travel/2013/10/25/lima_peru_at_the_witches_market.html
  • http://www.dallasnews.com/lifestyles/travel/international/20131025-at-the-witches-market-in-lima-peru-you-never-know-whats-in-your-drink.ece
Mercado de Brujas
Below the Gamarra Station
Lima, 15018
Peru
-12.0658, -77.012212
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Brain Museum

Lima, Peru

miles away

Cripta de los Héroes

Lima, Peru

miles away

Convento de San Francisco Ossuary

Lima, Peru

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Lima

Lima

Peru

Places 21

Nearby Places

Brain Museum

Lima, Peru

miles away

Cripta de los Héroes

Lima, Peru

miles away

Convento de San Francisco Ossuary

Lima, Peru

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Lima

Lima

Peru

Places 21

Related Stories and Lists

Shopping for Spells: Exploring Four of the World's Witchcraft Markets

witchcraft

By Cynthia Pelayo

Related Places

  • A large warehouse lined with tables full of produce and goods.

    Paramaribo, Suriname

    Maroon Market

    This "witch's market" is filled with Amazonian herbs, remedies, and the occasional libido-strengthening tincture.

  • The crystal ball of Sybil Leek, a British witch and astrologer who crossed over into more mainstream culture during the 1960s and 70s.

    Cleveland, Ohio

    Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick

    A collection of witchcraft artifacts and occult paraphernalia started by the leader of the Long Island Coven.

  • Bolivia’s Witch Market

    La Paz, Bolivia

    Bolivia's Witch Market

    Popular tourist destination where witches in dark hats sell dried llama fetuses for good luck.

  • Witch Board Museum Baltimore

    Baltimore, Maryland

    Witch Board Museum Baltimore

    This small museum celebrates the history of the Ouija board and its connection to the city of Baltimore.

  • Here stands the Rose Hill Mausoleum.

    Peoria, Illinois

    Springdale Cemetery

    This graveyard is home to the so-called "Witch's Circle."

  • Paris, France

    Étienne-Gaspard Robertson's Tomb

    A phantasmagoric tomb honors a Belgian artist-scientist's contributions to the world of spooky entertainment.

  • London, England

    Pamela Colman Smith's Fireplace

    Inside a London bookstore, a fireplace that once belonged to the illustrator responsible for a famous set of tarot cards.

  • Statues on Lysa Hora

    Kyiv, Ukraine

    Lysa Hora (Bald Mountain)

    This hill is known for its connection to the occult in Slavic tradition.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.