The Amazing Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Nearly 200 meters underground, in the small town of Zipaquirá, Colombia, there is a Cathedral unlike any other. Inside the depths of a salt mine lies a functioning church which receives as many as 3,000 visitors on Sundays!

The spectacular cathedral is illuminated by hundreds of multicolored lights; the walls and pillars of salt shimmer and sparkle as the lights illuminate the underground church and its giant cross. Visiting the Salt Cathedral isn't for those who get claustrophobic, but all others will certainly be awed by this unique attraction.

History of the Mine

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The rock salt was formed when a sea that used to cover the land dried out and left the enormous deposit of salt behind. The mine is the largest deposit of rock salt in the world, and has since become a crucial resource to the people who call the area home.

The indigenous Muisca people were the first to benefit from the salt deposits here and helped turn them into one of the most prosperous pre-Hispanic societies of their time. Many years later, the mines were used to finance the campaigns of the liberators Nariño and Bolívar who brought independence to Colombia 200 years ago.

Stations of the Cross

Photo by McKay Savage via Flickr

There are 13 Stations of the Cross that lead up to the main Cathedral hall. Each represents a different part of the crucifixion of Jesus. Some are relief carvings; others have additional salt structures or are at different heights. All of the cross stations walk through the specific events that took place between Jesus being condemned to being laid in the tomb. Each station also has a kneeling platform at which to pray. To learn more about what each of the stations signify, take a look at this detailed account.

At the end of the journey past the Stations of the Cross, there are three naves. Each nave has sculptures carved by professionals and miners alike. Connected by a small crack, the three naves represent Jesus’ birth and baptism, life and death and his resurrection.

The Cathedral

Photo by McKay Savage via Flickr

The main attraction, and arguably the most impressive, is the cathedral itself. This is actually the second cathedral to be built here, as the first was deemed unsafe. It is both bigger and deeper than the first. The cathedral was inaugurated in 1995, and in 2007 it was declared the First Wonder of Colombia.

We got our first glimpse of the cathedral from the balcony above. From here you can see an angelic statue up close that overlooks the massive cathedral. 250 thousand tons of rock salt had to be extracted to form the area that is now the cathedral. Additionally, there are four giant pillars surrounding the cathedral that represent the four gospels.

At the rear of the main cathedral hall is a near exact replica of “The Creation of Adam,” originally done by Michelangelo. The sculpture is made out of seven pieces of marble to represent the seven days of creation.

Photo by BORIS G via Flickr

Alongside the main cathedral is another impressive feature: a salt waterfall. One can only imagine how this colossal structure was formed.

The Tours

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We took our tour on a Wednesday at noon and found it to be quite crowded. The mines receive 10 thousand foreign tourists and 40 thousand Colombian tourists each month. We would recommend going on a weekday if possible as weekends will understandably be more crowded. The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday mass is at 1 p.m. Tours leave about every 15 minutes from the entrance gate and are available in Spanish and English. The standard tour lasts about one hour. Tickets for the tour cost 23,000 pesos for adults (13+) and 16,000 pesos for children. For more information about tours visit the Catedral de Sal website.

You can also choose to add-on additional events to your standard tour. Additional options include the Brine Museum, Mining Route, the outdoor climbing wall (the largest in Colombia) and archeological museum.

Although you must enter the standard tour with a group, don’t feel as though you must stay with them the entire time. It is easier to get photos and enjoy the stillness of the caves without people bumping and jostling in the often tight spaces.

After the tour is concluded you return the same way you entered, so we advise that you enjoy the information on your way in and get your photos when the group has scattered on the way out.

How to Get There

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The town of Zipaquira is about an hour to an hour and a half by bus, depending on traffic, outside of Bogata. The easiest way is to catch a bus from Portal del Norte going to Zipaquirá, which will set you back just 4,200 pesos - around two dollars. Once you arrive in Zipaquirá, take Calle 1 up the hill until you see a big arch on your left declaring “Welcome to Parque de la Sal.” You’ll find the entrance to the ticket booth and the Cathedral at the top of the hill.