Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá: An Underground Wonder

The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, hailed as a 'Jewel of Modern Architecture,' is a remarkable cultural, environmental, and religious landmark for the Colombian people. Located about an hour north of Bogotá, in Zipaquirá, this one-of-a-kind cathedral is constructed within a salt mine. In pre-Columbian times, the Muisca people were the first to benefit from the vast salt deposits, establishing a prosperous society through salt exploitation starting around the 5th century BC. Mining the salt was dangerous work, so the miners carved a small sanctuary as a place to pray for safety. The first underground church was carved in 1932, followed by a larger project in the 1950s. However, authorities shut down the church in 1991 due to safety concerns. The current cathedral, which opened in 1995, descends 190 meters underground and was carved from 250,000 tons of salt. Visitors walk past 14 chapels, each representing a station of the cross, before entering the main nave. The temple has three sections representing the birth, life, and death of Jesus. Inside, you'll find the 'Pietà,' featuring strong indigenous features, and the Guardian Angel, carved in 1950 by Italian sculptor Ludovico Consorte. The cathedral can accommodate over 8,000 people and holds mass every Sunday. The Salt Cathedral is part of the larger Salt Park, which offers other attractions and activities, including a miner's route, a climbing wall, and bike tours.