Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá
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Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá – Bogotá, Colombia

Hailed as one of Colombia’s most significant architectural accomplishments, The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá is the most stunning and unusual cathedral you will ever visit. From the moment you walk down the pathway leading to the tunnels, you know you are about to experience something inspiring. It’s dark, wet, mysterious, and reminiscent of a scene from Game of Thrones.

Once a working salt mine, this cavernous system is now described as a “Jewel of Modern Architecture” as the church was carved inside a salt mine 650 feet underground.

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History of the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá

Years before the underground church was built (around 1932), the miners had carved a sanctuary for their daily prayers. Mining has always been a dangerous job and a cause of death for many in the field. Given this, the miners would pray to the Virgin of the Rosary of Guasá. They asked for protection from explosions, toxic gases, and potential accidents. The miners considered her to be the patron saint of miners, their protector.

Catholicism in Colombia

Colombia is a Catholic country, with most, if not all, citizens actively practicing their faith. We were lucky enough to be visiting the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá on Good Friday. A unique service to witness as the services represent the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. It is one of the most significant occasions for all Catholics.

Ironically, I had just learned about the Stations of the Cross from visiting another church in Colombia. Little did I know that we were about to witness this story’s most spectacularly visual representation carved into the salt mine walls.

Stations of the Cross Inside the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá

As soon as we exited the tunnel and entered the main section of the mine, we were greeted by the Cross’s Stations—the Stations of the Cross chronicle Jesus’ last journey. The walk takes you on the journey in chronological order. Each station has a cross carved out of rock salt and kneeling platforms. Essentially, each station is a small chapel.

Do Not pose or enter the crosses at each station. Yes, you will see some idiots doing this. You should not; it’s the height of disrespect. Don’t be an idiot, capture your photos of these religious artifacts as they are without you in them!

Because we were there on Good Friday, we could not see station one (Jesus condemned to death) or station twelve (Jesus died on the cross). These stations were closed out of respect for the events and sacrifices that Jesus made.

You can follow the journey even if you are not religious or don’t understand the teachings. I do recommend reading up on it first so that you know what each station represents. We were lucky; we had Catholic friends to explain it and answer questions about each station. Alternatively, you can rent the audio tour to explain it.

Descending into the chambers of the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá

At the end of the Cross’s Stations, you continue walking deeper into the mine towards the central nave of the cathedral.

Tip: You can and should view the Cathedral from the balcony above to get a sense of the depth.

Immediately, you see the oversized gothic chandeliers accentuated by the blue and purple lights that enhance the beauty. The lighting will showcase all the accents and carvings and brighten the dull salt rock walls. It creates a magical hue that encourages your eyes to explore.

At the front of the nave, there is a huge cross that appears to float. A priest is conducting mass in Spanish. A crowd is gathered in the pews, praying and participating in Holy Communion.

What You Need to Know

  • Getting to The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá from Bogota is easy, and you do not need to take a tour. Your hotel will arrange a private driver for you. It costs about $60 round trip for up to four people. You can also combine this with other attractions.
  • It takes about two to three hours to tour the cathedral.
  • It costs about $16 to enter, and the on-site museum is not included. You need a separate ticket for the museum.
  • It’s cold inside the cathedral, so have a cardigan or jacket if it’s too cold.
  • Once you exit the central nave, there is an entire underground shopping mall. I found this odd. I am a shopper, but it felt wrong to be inside a cathedral. We did not purchase anything.
  • The cathedral is wheelchair accessible.

Closing Thoughts:

I thoroughly enjoyed everything about Colombia, and The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá was my favorite experience. You do not need to be religious or spiritual to appreciate the cathedral. Nor do you need to understand the biblical significance. If you are interested in architecture, enjoy exploring new places, or want to learn about Colombia’s religion, you should not miss this!

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5 Comments

  1. Hi Nikki, thank you for writing this good article. I am from Bogotá, Colombia and I have a few comments for you. Although it is true most Colombians are Catholic, practicing the religion is becoming more and more rare, especially for the newer generations. Also, if you were impressed with the salt cathedral, you will also be amazed with the salt mine in Nemocon. The mine is equally spectacular and less religiously oriented. It has been the set for movies and tv series, and the tour offered is focused on the mining experience. I will strongly suggest for you to visit it, if you ever have the opportunity.

    1. Hi Ernesto,

      Thanks so much for sharing this info:) I will definitely add the Salt Mine In Nemocon to my list for my next trip – thank you… Nikki

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