Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá: An Underground Wonder

The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, hailed as the "First Wonder of Colombia," is a testament to Colombian ingenuity and spirituality. This majestic underground temple, nestled within the tunnels of a salt mine, lies 180 meters beneath the surface and is part of the Salt Park, which offers multiple attractions and activities. Before its transformation into a place of worship, the site was a salt mine exploited by the indigenous Muisca people as early as the 5th century BC. Miners carved small chapels into the salt mine to pray for their safety. In 1932, the miners built a sanctuary, a place for their daily prayers asking for protection to the saints before starting to work. In 1954, a larger cathedral was inaugurated but closed in 1992 due to structural instability. The current cathedral opened in 1995 and was built under the old one. The journey through the Salt Cathedral begins with a 1,200-foot tunnel that exhibits the 14 stations of the Catholic Way of the Cross, each carved into the mine's rock salt. The temple has three sections representing the birth, life, and death of Jesus. Inside, the icons, ornaments, and architectural details are hand-carved in the halite rock, with some marble sculptures included. The central dome has sculptures, lighting, and natural deposits. The cathedral can accommodate over 8,000 people. Visitors can explore the Miners Route, experience the Brine Museum, walk the Ecological Trail, and admire the Salt Mirror.