The Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá, Colombia

It sounds like a riddle: what church has no Bishop, but has over 3,000 visitors each Sunday? What cathedral has no spires, but is praised as a “jewel”?

The answer isn’t a trick. Instead, it’s one of the strangest, most surreal architectural achievements, a feat of spiritual design that nobody would ever see by chance—people must set out to find it.

It’s the underground Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá, Cundinamarca, Colombia.

Want to uncover its secrets?

Discover Zipaquirá’s Salt Cathedral

In the depths of the earth, 590 feet below sea level, a cathedral carved in salt and lit by neon lights draws in pilgrims and worshippers alike. This unique church is Zipaquirá’s Salt Cathedral, the first among many Wonders of Colombia.

The Salt Cathedral was carved and expanded in the halite (rock salt) mines throughout the 20th century. As an architectural marvel and a site of reverence, it’s a memorable destination—one worth the time Caravan dedicates to it on our 10-Day Colombia Tour.

History of The Salt Cathedral In Zipaquirá, Colombia

The rock salt mines that would eventually house the cathedral had been in use since the 5th century. The indigenous Muisca culture mined sal as a crucial trade good. Their paths and support structures built throughout the mines set the stage for the underground cathedral’s construction.

Salt Miners’ Sanctuary

Subsequently, different enterprising cultures mined the rock salt deposits. In the 1930s, many of those miners were Catholic, and they established a small sanctuary within the mine shafts. The sanctuary was, initially, a small space to offer prayers to the patron saint of miners, the Virgin of the Rosary of Guasȧ.

By 1950, the miners chose to expand the sanctuary, using some galleries previously carved by the Muisca as a partial basis for the expansion. The new church was formally inaugurated in 1954.

1990’s Redesign

Structural problems and safety risks caused the cathedral’s intermittent closure. But, in 1991, The Colombian Society of Architects funded a new, much stronger and safer Cathedral in its place.

The new salt cathedral was designed by Roswell Garavito Pearl, an architect who’d won the society’s contest. It was officially opened in 1995, and it has remained open ever since.

The Stations of The Cross

To experience the Stations of the Cross, visitors descend down a long, dark tunnel, salt crystal glittering in the walls, illuminated by an eerie light.

Each of the fourteen stations is carefully carved into the wall. Each is composed of an altar with a lit cross, small hand-carved kneelers, and a chapel illustrating the events of Jesus’ last days.

At the tunnel’s terminus, it opens into a wide, brightly-lit sanctuary displaying the primary altar: a 16-foot cross carved from a 17-ton block of salt.

The Dome

The Salt Cathedral’s dome is illuminated in a surreal light, creating an illusion of an infinite night sky beyond it. Its cross chambers incorporate bas-relief sculptures and artworks. A carved statue of Saint Michael is elevated.

Visitors in the dome can rest there, to worship or meditate. Or, they can move forward and explore the Narthex labyrinth.

The Three Naves

The Salt Cathedral has three naves, or halls set aside for regular people’s worship. Each nave is visually and symbolically dedicated to an aspect of Jesus:

• The Nave of Birth
• The Nave of Life
• The Nave of Resurrection

Sculptures, carvings, and colored lightwork depict images relevant to each nave. Meanwhile, an intentional, lit crack runs along all three, connecting them.

Bus or Taxi: From Bogotá to The Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá

In Colombia, it’s wise to travel to Zipaquirá from Bogotá on public transit. To take it, head to the Portal Norte bus station in Bogota, and simply take the direct bus to downtown Zipaquira (also called “Zipa”). Travers can also take a taxi via the same route.

About Caravan

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Take an unforgettable trip without the stress of planning it. Travel with Caravan, and we’ll do the work for you! Call one of our agents at 1 (312) 321-9800, or call 1-800-CARAVAN.