Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá

Catedral de Sal de Zipaquirá is an underground Roman Catholic church built within the tunnels of a salt mine an hour's drive from Bogotá in the town of Zipaquirá, Colombia. The importance of the cathedral is reflected in the cultural hereditary, religious and environmental values. It forms a part of the Parque de Sal de Zipaquirá, a thematic cultural park dedicated to mining, architecture and natural resources.





Our new Colombian friend Monika wanted to show us this impressive place last Sunday, and we are so grateful that she did!

To get in the salt cathedral everyone has to take a tour, which leave regularly from the gate.



The underground cathedral is very popular tourist attraction due to its marvelous and profound religious meaning. It is considered to be the most important sight of Colombia; some have even named it to be the Jewel of Modern Architecture -- one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

The monuments and statues in the cathedral represent the birth, life, and death of Jesus, which are displayed with a beautiful array of lights.

An angel guards the way leading to the main altar.

The icons, ornaments and architectural details are hand carved in the halite rock. Some marble sculptures are also included.

The hip garment is made of genuine emerald, the green gemstone, whose biggest producer Colombia is in the world.





The gallery represents Via Dolorosa, the Way of Suffering, Jesus had to walk carrying his cross, on the way to be crucified. Jesus's last moments to the cross in Jerusalem are shown in five steps or in five different crosses in the cathedral.

Holy Family and Baby Jesus in his crib in the stable.

The cross at the main altar.

The powerful touch is called La Creación del Hombre and it is based on Michelangelo's famous work The Creation of Adam.





After the tour and a 3D movie about salt mining, we had delicious Colombian coffee 180 metres underground.

The walls of the hall on the way back change colour every few seconds.

Eucalyptus trees.

The vista over the town of Zipaquirá.

This cute boy flashed me a smile when he saw me taking out the camera. Eagerly he nudged me towards the little store over the street which I should visit. I told him I'd go after the very late and overdue lunch. And to the boy's delight, I did!

A typical small-town Colombian restaurant recommended by locals.

The drink was apple soda mixed with beer. Surprisingly delicious!

The lunch included meat, meat and meat with the side dishes of potatoes, guacamole, mature banana and yuca, a potato like vegetable.

Since it was getting late the restaurant was nearly empty.

This is the store I "had" to visit.

We didn't stop to walk around the town because it was getting late but one could do a tour including the visit to the park. At the first quick glimpse we saw the tiny town looked charming.

When the locals hear that we are foreigners and new in town the first two things they ask are: "Have you been to the Cathedral of Salt?" And: "Do you know Andrés Carne de Res (a famous whimsical restaurant and a party place in Chia)?" If you do the mistake of saying "no", they roll their eyes and cant't believe what they are hearing. These are the two greatest must-sees outside of Bogotá that everyone has to see. Now after seeing one of them I can answer happily "Yes". And for the disbeliever's information: it is definitely worth it to believe the locals.