Salt Cathedral on Postcard

"The Salt Cathedral About an hour north of Bogotá lies the so-called Salt Cathedral, an intriguing and impressive church that has been sculpted from the empty chambers of a working salt mine, one that’s been in operation since pre-Hispanic times. Beginning in the 20th century, miners began to decorate shafts with icons and saints from whom they sought protection. By 1954, a full-fledged cathedral had been carved into the rock and inaugurated; it has been attracting visitors from all over the world ever since. When a previous sanctuary became unstable, the current chapel was carved almost 200 feet deeper down and opened in 1995, complete with eerie lighting and beautiful sculptures. A visit is a moving experience even for nonbelievers. By Travesías"

Essential Guide to Bogotá

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@afar

"The Salt Cathedral About an hour north of Bogotá lies the so-called Salt Cathedral, an intriguing and impressive church that has been sculpted from the empty chambers of a working salt mine, one that’s been in operation since pre-Hispanic times. Beginning in the 20th century, miners began to decorate shafts with icons and saints from whom they sought protection. By 1954, a full-fledged cathedral had been carved into the rock and inaugurated; it has been attracting visitors from all over the world ever since. When a previous sanctuary became unstable, the current chapel was carved almost 200 feet deeper down and opened in 1995, complete with eerie lighting and beautiful sculptures. A visit is a moving experience even for nonbelievers. By Travesías"

The Perfect Week in Colombia

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@afar

"The Salt Cathedral About an hour north of Bogotá lies the so-called Salt Cathedral, an intriguing and impressive church that has been sculpted from the empty chambers of a working salt mine, one that’s been in operation since pre-Hispanic times. Beginning in the 20th century, miners began to decorate shafts with icons and saints from whom they sought protection. By 1954, a full-fledged cathedral had been carved into the rock and inaugurated; it has been attracting visitors from all over the world ever since. When a previous sanctuary became unstable, the current chapel was carved almost 200 feet deeper down and opened in 1995, complete with eerie lighting and beautiful sculptures. A visit is a moving experience even for nonbelievers. By Travesías"

The Best Things to Do in Colombia

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Diana Gonzalez

Google

This place is just beautiful! It is such a wonder! The cameras inside this mountain are impressive and the carving and stability built on them is just so impressive. The airflow is so natural and my lungs definitely cleared up nicely during this tour. The smell is really so pleasant, the tour could be a bit slower and allow people to make more questions. The way they have decorated and enhanced the cathedral is beautiful, it’s truly a piece of art and a really wonderful place for those who worship. The additional museums and historic plates give such an authentic feel. I wouldn’t recommend the little car that takes you back up, it is just polluting the caves with the gasoline that it burns.

E T

Google

I can't tell you how amazing this place was. Easy to access, and the walk down as they introduce you to the different areas that had been mind out and used for religious purposes was amazing. But the main gallery was phenomenal absolutely breathtaking. Such a worthwhile adventure.

Emeer

Google

A salt mine Cathedral tour combined with coffee shops and some souvenir shopping. You can purchase the ticket at the entrance along with the audio guide. It will take you roughly around 2 hours to complete the tour. The tour takes you into a salt mine 200 meters deep. There are large christian crosses that were built by the mine workers all throughout the tunnel. At the end of the tunnel, you will end up at the Cathedral. In the Cathedral, there are several Christian artifacts (Virgin Mary) on the walls from different countries. In the area, you will also find many coffee shops, snacks places, and some shops selling mine and Christianity related artifacts. The place has bathrooms that we're very well maintained. Overall, the place is well managed and has lots of staff around to ensure smooth operation. It is a good day trip from Bogota for the whole family . On the way back, you can stop over at the town for some authentic Colombian meal. The place allows people to bring their pets as well.

Willy Montiel

Google

The Salt Mine is amazing 🤩. Fun day with the family. Such a unique experience. I highly recommend this one if you’re visiting here in Bogota Colombia 🇨🇴 . Nothing like this in the world. Come by and enjoy the experience fam.

Cynthia G

Google

A must see if traveling to Bogota! Amazing place with lots of history. If you want to experience everything there is to offer, be prepared to spend 4-5 hours

Taner Keleş

Google

The Salt Cathedral in Colombia is amazing. Going underground, I was impressed by the huge salt carvings and beautiful lighting. Standing in front of the big cross, I felt the creativity of nature and people. It’s a special place where art and spirituality come together. If you visit Colombia, don’t miss it!

Greg Johnston

Google

We visited the Salt Cathedral after taking a bus from Bogota. The cost for us as seniors was 212 pesos. that included an audio guide. The first part of the Cathedral the lighting low so it is hard to appreciate the craftsmanship. But when you get into the main halls and cathedral it becomes easier as there is more light. We would recommend visiting. It is a whole day adventure from Bogota taking the bus (12hrs). 3btraveler

Gustavo Espinoza Jr

Google

This was an interesting place to visit not far from the city of Bogota. The salt cathedral at Zipaquirá is one of the more unique attractions I have seen while in the country and for good reason; there is no other place like it in the world. To enter, you have to buy tickets which come in three separate packages. All of them include entry into the cathedral but the more expensive ones offer entry into museums and even rock climbing. After buying tickets, you wait at the entrance with everyone else and when enough people have amassed, you are taken into the cathedral. Be advised that the group gets very big for the tour. We had trouble listening to the tour guide because he was all the way up front and we were at the back of the crowd. It was very obnoxious at times because people make a lot of noise while the tour guide is speaking which makes it difficult to hear. Also there are large amounts of people all attempting to take photos at the same time and at the same places which makes it very difficult to get a photo. After a while we got tired of the tour and went ahead which was a lot better. There were not that many people as we walked further into the cathedral making it easier to see things and explore. The cathedral is massive and there is so much to see inside. It is all very impressive and there is great history behind it that is worth learning about. A small theater inside the mine provides a good history lesson on the mine and its inhabitants before it became a cathedral. There is also a number of shops down here ranging from gift shops to snack bars and even jewelry stores.

Diana Gonzalez

Google

This place is just beautiful! It is such a wonder! The cameras inside this mountain are impressive and the carving and stability built on them is just so impressive. The airflow is so natural and my lungs definitely cleared up nicely during this tour. The smell is really so pleasant, the tour could be a bit slower and allow people to make more questions. The way they have decorated and enhanced the cathedral is beautiful, it’s truly a piece of art and a really wonderful place for those who worship. The additional museums and historic plates give such an authentic feel. I wouldn’t recommend the little car that takes you back up, it is just polluting the caves with the gasoline that it burns.

E T

Google

I can't tell you how amazing this place was. Easy to access, and the walk down as they introduce you to the different areas that had been mind out and used for religious purposes was amazing. But the main gallery was phenomenal absolutely breathtaking. Such a worthwhile adventure.

Emeer

Google

A salt mine Cathedral tour combined with coffee shops and some souvenir shopping. You can purchase the ticket at the entrance along with the audio guide. It will take you roughly around 2 hours to complete the tour. The tour takes you into a salt mine 200 meters deep. There are large christian crosses that were built by the mine workers all throughout the tunnel. At the end of the tunnel, you will end up at the Cathedral. In the Cathedral, there are several Christian artifacts (Virgin Mary) on the walls from different countries. In the area, you will also find many coffee shops, snacks places, and some shops selling mine and Christianity related artifacts. The place has bathrooms that we're very well maintained. Overall, the place is well managed and has lots of staff around to ensure smooth operation. It is a good day trip from Bogota for the whole family . On the way back, you can stop over at the town for some authentic Colombian meal. The place allows people to bring their pets as well.

Willy Montiel

Google

The Salt Mine is amazing 🤩. Fun day with the family. Such a unique experience. I highly recommend this one if you’re visiting here in Bogota Colombia 🇨🇴 . Nothing like this in the world. Come by and enjoy the experience fam.

Cynthia G

Google

A must see if traveling to Bogota! Amazing place with lots of history. If you want to experience everything there is to offer, be prepared to spend 4-5 hours

Taner Keleş

Google

The Salt Cathedral in Colombia is amazing. Going underground, I was impressed by the huge salt carvings and beautiful lighting. Standing in front of the big cross, I felt the creativity of nature and people. It’s a special place where art and spirituality come together. If you visit Colombia, don’t miss it!

Greg Johnston

Google

We visited the Salt Cathedral after taking a bus from Bogota. The cost for us as seniors was 212 pesos. that included an audio guide. The first part of the Cathedral the lighting low so it is hard to appreciate the craftsmanship. But when you get into the main halls and cathedral it becomes easier as there is more light. We would recommend visiting. It is a whole day adventure from Bogota taking the bus (12hrs). 3btraveler

Gustavo Espinoza Jr

Google

This was an interesting place to visit not far from the city of Bogota. The salt cathedral at Zipaquirá is one of the more unique attractions I have seen while in the country and for good reason; there is no other place like it in the world. To enter, you have to buy tickets which come in three separate packages. All of them include entry into the cathedral but the more expensive ones offer entry into museums and even rock climbing. After buying tickets, you wait at the entrance with everyone else and when enough people have amassed, you are taken into the cathedral. Be advised that the group gets very big for the tour. We had trouble listening to the tour guide because he was all the way up front and we were at the back of the crowd. It was very obnoxious at times because people make a lot of noise while the tour guide is speaking which makes it difficult to hear. Also there are large amounts of people all attempting to take photos at the same time and at the same places which makes it very difficult to get a photo. After a while we got tired of the tour and went ahead which was a lot better. There were not that many people as we walked further into the cathedral making it easier to see things and explore. The cathedral is massive and there is so much to see inside. It is all very impressive and there is great history behind it that is worth learning about. A small theater inside the mine provides a good history lesson on the mine and its inhabitants before it became a cathedral. There is also a number of shops down here ranging from gift shops to snack bars and even jewelry stores.

Salt Cathedral

Salt Cathedral

Photos

Highlights

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