Zipaquira Salt Cathedral Feb 2014

Zipaquira is a town about 50km from Bogota and is a place of pilgrimage in Colombia.  The town is made famous by its the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral, which is an underground church built within the tunnels of the salt mine 200 meters underground.  Many years before the main cathedral was built, the miners have already carved numerous sanctuaries and prayed for protection everyday before starting work.

Upon descending into the mine, we first pass through the 13 stations of the Cross with each station representing a different part of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  Some of these “caves” are so large that a 747 plane can comfortably fit.  All the sculptures and decorations are carved by the miners.  The highlight is of course the Cathedral itself.  From the balcony, one can appreciate the colossal scale of it all.  We were told that 250 thousand tons of salt was extracted from where the cathedral now stands.

Entrance into the mine.

One of the 13 stations of the Cross.

Zipaquira Salt Cathedral

A 747 plane can fit into the “cave” behind the cross.

Balcony overlooking the main cathedral.

The Salt Cathedral is considered one of the most notable achievements of Colombian architecture.

Zipaquira Salt Cathedral

Zipaquira Salt Cathedral

Zipaquira Salt Cathedral

Beautiful reliefs carved by the miners.

Zipaquira Salt Cathedral

Sit down and watch a brief film on the history and building of this salt cathedral.