The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira is one of the best known tourist
destinations in Colombia. To those who have never been there, it will be
a site worth coming back to over and over.
Location and How to Get to This Specific Site
The cathedral is near the Zipaquira town about 47 km to the north of
Bogota. The church can be found inside the salt mine’s tunnels 200
meters underground. The salt mine is in the Halite Mountain at
Cundinamarca.
What to See There
The cathedral has 14 tunnels. There are stations of the cross that
symbolize the life of Christ. There are lights in the tunnels that
illuminate the way. At certain points, the lights will change color. The
complex features an auditorium with a 200 seating capacity. Next to it
are naves symbolizing Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection.
The naves of Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira have several statues.
Majority of them were created by miners. One of the most prominent
features is the guardian angel sculpture. It was created by 
Ludovico Consorte, an Italian artist.
Visitors can also watch a 3D video detailing the salt mine’s
geological history. The rock climbing wall is another popular feature.
History
Zipaquira has been mined since the 5th century BC. Current evidence
points to the Muisca indigenous people as the first to conduct salt
mining. The substance was used as currency. Later on, the Spaniards
would build the town and mine the area extensively. The salt was also
used by freedom fighters like Narino and Bolivar to fund their causes.
During the 1930s, the miners decided to build a salt cathedral. This
cathedral became very popular, but it was shut down in 1955 for safety
reasons. In 1995, the present cathedral was built. It was set 250 meters
deeper than the original. The work required 250,000 tons of rock to be
removed.
Cost
The entrance fee is $8.50 (17.000 COP).
Other Info
The cathedral is just part of the whole complex. The establishment
includes a restaurant, a movie theater and other attractions. There are
also proposals to build a wellness center and a salt spa. Tourists can
avail of a guide. This tour will take about an hour. A half hour tour
will also explain the dangers that the miners faced.
Since the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira opened its doors in 1995, it
has drawn over 13 million visitors. Today, it also functions as a place
of worship every Sunday.
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