About 70 million years ago, with the formation of a branch of the great Andes mountain range, one of the largest salt deposits in the world was born, in the municipality of Zipaquirá, just 47 kilometers away from Bogotá city in Colombia (South America). The first to discover and exploit the richness of this salt mine more than 600 years ago were the Chibchas and Muiscas Indians, but it was the German scientist Alexander Von Humboldt who marked the beginning of a proper mining exploitation at the beginning of the 19th century.
When we enter into the mine, we feel how the energy of the place tells us its history; it invites us to enter into communion with the spirituality of our inner and allows us to honor the ancestors who created this wonderful, colossal work. In this blog I will tell you about the charms of the only underground religious temple in the world. In the link below, you will find its real geographical location. Come with me to meet the only Salt Cathedral in the world, better known as the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, here we go!
The pinmapple location: [//]:# (!pinmapple 5.018997 lat -74.011851 long Exploring an Underground Salt Cathedral d3scr)
The history of the salt cathedral begins in 1930, when the miners built an improvised chapel in one of the tunnels to pray. In 1995 the cathedral was re-inaugurated; 250,000 tons of salt were extracted for its construction, and it was built to accommodate up to 10,000 faithful. This cathedral is located 180 meters underground embedded in the Zipa hill at 2652 meters above sea level.
There are several options to arrive, from conventional public transportation to a train that runs through of the Colombian Savannah. I recommend using the public transportation system that departs from the Portal del Norte station, because the trip takes only one hour. The cost of the ticket is approximately 4,000 pesos. Once in Zipaquirá, it will take 20 minutes to walk along the road to the Salt Cathedral.
Ticket prices to enter the cathedral range from approximately $12 to $25.
Once we enter this salt basilica, we will observe that it covers an area of approximately ten hectares and is divided into three sections:
On the upper level is a long tunnel (386 meters long and 13 meters high) that leads into a symbolic way of the cross through 14 fourteen stations found in the emptiness of the amazing caverns of the mine.
These caverns were cut by the excavators in salt shake and represent the different stages lived by Jesus Christ on the Road to Golgotha until his death; all surrounded by the mystical atmosphere created by the lights and the crosses carved in the salt, without human representations.
And on the lower level is the cathedral itself. The choir is accessed at the top of the central nave, generating a balcony supported by four huge salt columns eight meters in diameter representing the four evangelists.
The center of the Salt Cathedral is made up of three large naves. The nativity nave, the life nave, death, and resurrection.
The Nativity Nave.
This Nave is 73 meters long, 16 meters high and 10 meters wide. In its interior, we can observe the baptistery (circular space) located around the baptismal font. Also, the crystalline salt waterfall symbolizing the Jordan River, the place of the baptism of Jesus Christ.
The Life Nave.
The Life Nave of the Salt Cathedral is built 180 meters below the salt mountain. It is supported by four columns, symbolizing the evangelists. St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke and St. John, pillars of the Christian faith. In this place you can admire the largest cross in the world (120 meters long by 22 meters high), which is a great mystery to be recognized by the optical illusion. In addition, the place has the so-called medallion of creation. A work that symbolizes the birth of Jesus Christ (represented in the nativity) and its connection with earthly life. It was built in homage to Michelangelo Bounarroti.
Ship of Death and Resurrection.
The Death and Resurrection Nave has a sculptural work representing the end of Jesus' earthly life. It also has other works such as the Chapel of the Most Holy, the grottoes of resurrection. Besides, we can see the representation of the child God. These works symbolize the elevation of Jesus to heaven after his long and hard Calvary.
Absolutely impressive is the Main Chapel, which seems an unreal place, with its play of lights in a sublime atmosphere. On Sundays, masses are celebrated in the chapel that has a capacity for 8,000 people.
The Emeralds Museum
Besides enjoying wonderful works carved in salt and marble, you will also find the famous emerald museum, where you will discover the meaning of this beautiful stone throughout history.
The country controls more than 80% of the world's production and constitutes one of its greatest riches. Most of these precious stones are exported. The Colombian emerald is considered the best in the world for its high quality, purity, and its deep and varied color; there are up to 4,000 different shades of green.
As for the sale price, there are emeralds from 300 to 50,000 dollars, and they are delivered with a certificate of authenticity.
But if you are one of those who prefer to interact with a group guide, you can also request it to the person who sells you the entrance ticket.
It is one of those experiences that must be lived at least once in a lifetime!
