The La Cultura station on Lima’s Metro Line 1 will close temporarily from 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11, until 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 12. The concessionaire stated this closure is required for activities related to the visit of Pope León XIV, specifically an event at the nearby Gran Teatro Nacional.
Operational changes at La Cultura station
During the closure window, trains will not stop at the La Cultura terminal in the San Borja district. The concessionaire confirmed that the other 25 stations along Line 1 will continue to operate with normal service. Passengers are advised to plan their travel accordingly due to the suspension of service at this specific stop.
Security measures at the Gran Teatro Nacional
The closure is mandated by authorities to accommodate the Pope’s schedule at the Gran Teatro Nacional, located just meters from the station. According to the official itinerary, Pope León XIV is set to meet with government officials, civil society representatives, and the diplomatic corps at 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Autoridad de Transporte Urbano (ATU) reported that because of police-ordered security closures on Avenida Aviación, 15 public transport routes will modify their paths to travel via Avenida Canadá, Guardia Civil, and San Borja Norte, as noted by Gestión. Furthermore, the Corredor Rojo services 201, 204, 206, and 209 will bypass the La Cultura stop and instead utilize the Javier Prado express lane.
National security and transit logistics
The government has declared November 11 and 12 as non-working days in Lima and Callao, with the measure effective from 1:00 p.m. on the 11th. A total of 37,149 police officers will be deployed nationwide, with 22,464 stationed in Lima and Callao.
The security apparatus, overseen by Minister of the Interior César Astudillo and PNP General Commander Fredy López Mendoza, utilizes 272 vehicles, 576 motorcycles, nine helicopters, and three aircraft to monitor 24 event venues. For urban transit, the Pope will travel in a Mi-17 Air Force helicopter, known as the “papacóptero,” and will be accompanied by a fixed escort of 24 motorized agents.
💛 ¡𝐍𝐨𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞 𝐥𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐝𝐚! Las estaciones del Metropolitano ya lucen la imagen del Papa León XIV y acompañan la emoción de recibirlo mañana en esta su casa, el Perú. 🇵🇪 pic.twitter.com/JyvorPPVK2
Arrival and Callao transit restrictions
Upon his arrival on Wednesday, November 11, the Pope is scheduled to reach the Ala Aérea N.° 2 at approximately 5:30 p.m. before proceeding to the Government Palace, the Gran Teatro Nacional, and the Apostolic Nunciature. In Callao, the municipality is installing over 1,600 barriers along Avenida Faucett to manage an expected crowd of more than 200,000 people between the Grupo Aéreo N°8 and Avenida La Marina.
Local authorities have also launched the “León Chalaco” command center, featuring over 100 surveillance cameras. Due to his visit to the Hermanitas de los Ancianos Desamparados nursing home, high-traffic restrictions will be enforced on Avenidas La Marina and Guardia Chalaca.
Did You Know? The papal visit to Peru involves a massive security deployment of 37,149 police officers across the country. According to El Peruano, this operation includes the use of 272 vehicles, 576 motorcycles, nine helicopters, and three aircraft to manage security across 24 distinct event venues.
Future transit impacts
El Comercio reported that the government has declared November 11 and 12 as non-working days in Lima and Callao, which may alter typical passenger volume. On November 11, empty buses will be stationed at Metropolitano stops near the city center, such as Jirón de la Unión and Tacna, to facilitate transport to the Plaza de Armas for the Pope’s 6:15 p.m. welcome ceremony at the Government Palace.
Questions about Metro Line 1 and La Cultura station
Will other stations on Metro Line 1 be affected?
No, the concessionaire clarified that the other 25 stations on the Line 1 network will continue to operate with normal service throughout the duration of the Pope’s visit.
🚌✝️ ¡𝐌𝐚́𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐥𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐨́𝐧 𝐗𝐈𝐕! El MTC, a través de la ATU, implementará 8 recorridos especiales desde distintos puntos de Lima y Callao hacia Las Palmas por la misa del 16 de noviembre. pic.twitter.com/wTOZ1ct6Qj
Why is the La Cultura station the only one closing?
The station is being closed by order of authorities because of its immediate proximity to the Gran Teatro Nacional, where the Pope is scheduled to hold his final engagement of the day on Wednesday, November 11.
Where else will the Pope travel in Peru?
Following his activities in Lima and Callao, the Pope is scheduled to visit Chiclayo on November 13 and 14, Santa Cruz in Cajamarca on November 14, and Cusco and Pucallpa on November 15.
Cada vez falta menos para que el papa León XIV vuelva a casa. 🇵🇪🙏 El premier Luis Galarreta participó en la presentación y bendición del avión que trasladará al Santo Padre durante su recorrido por el Perú, y convocó a la ciudadanía a sumarse a esta histórica bienvenida,… pic.twitter.com/n8L5IyjqXQ
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