Metro Culhuacán allows you to take line 12 directly into the heart of one of Mexico City’s longest inhabited neighborhoods, and one of the 12 pueblos originarios of Iztapalapa.
Culhuacán means “Hill bent by the center of the star,” though it might also be translated as “Place of the Culhua people.” One of the most important settlements in the ancient Valley of Mexico, it’s believed to have been the arrival place of at least some of those departing Teotihuacan beginning in about 700 CE.
The station icon is the glyph that represents Culhuacán.
Today but one more urban Metro station in the system, it’s a good starting point for a number of attractions in the area.
- The Pueblo Culhuacán is centered by the Monastery of San Juan Evangelista, today a striking museum and community center. It was likely the first paper mill in the Americas, and a center of industry and agriculture for generations.
- Nearby is the Señor del Calvario Church and Cave. The cave has been a chapel for some 200 years and is equally surrounded by mystery and legend.
- The Cerro de la Estrella park and archaeological site lead up eventually to the Museum of the New Fire. All together, they add up to some of the most historically and culturally rich territory anywhere on the continent, if not in the world. They’re all within walking distance of Metro Culhuacán although a taxi is probably preferable for reaching the top of the mountain.
- The Culhuacan market is just a few meters from the station too. The sign for the market can be scene in the center-right of the photo above.
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