Zipaquirà

Zipaquirá, colonial history and a cathedral inside a mountain

Zipaquirá is a Colombian city located on the Sabana de Bogotá, around 50 kilometres from the capital. It is best known for its historic salt mines and the extraordinary Salt Cathedral, created within underground tunnels deep inside the mountain.

The history of Zipaquirá has been connected with salt since long before the arrival of the Spanish. The indigenous Muisca people extracted and traded this valuable resource, which contributed greatly to the prosperity of the region. Mining continued to develop during the colonial period, helping Zipaquirá become an important economic centre.

Beyond its famous mine, the city has an attractive historic centre with colonial buildings, churches and traditional squares. Its proximity to Bogotá makes Zipaquirá one of the most popular excursions from the Colombian capital.

What to see in Zipaquirá

The main attraction is the Salt Cathedral, constructed within the tunnels of a salt mine. The underground route passes through spaces carved into the salt rock, chapels and dramatically illuminated chambers before reaching the vast main nave.

The present cathedral opened in 1995, replacing an earlier underground sanctuary created by miners. Although it is not a cathedral in the formal ecclesiastical sense, it has become an important religious site and one of Colombia’s most unusual attractions.

The cathedral forms part of the Salt Park, where visitors can also learn more about salt extraction and the importance of mining in the development of Zipaquirá.

In the historic centre, Plaza de los Comuneros forms the heart of the city. Historic buildings and the city’s cathedral surround the square, while nearby streets contain examples of colonial and Republican-era architecture.

It is therefore worth allowing some time to explore Zipaquirá itself rather than visiting only its famous underground attraction.

When to visit Zipaquirá

Zipaquirá can be visited throughout the year. Because of its altitude, temperatures tend to be mild or cool, so an extra layer of clothing can be useful even when travelling from Bogotá.