First Wonder of Colombia - The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá ~ DownshiftingPRO

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The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá

UPDATED 2026: How can you explain what a cathedral nesting in one of the largest salt mines in the world looks like? It is large. Monumental, even. It was carved into the active mine starting in 1953 by salt miners, then relocated deeper into the mine after the original closed in 1990. The current iteration of the cathedral was opened in 1995 after the extraction of 250 thousand tons of salt rock. This mine holds Colombia’s largest deposit of rock salt on the planet, and it is spectacular. Drawing over 600,000 visitors a year, The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá ranks as the first among the Seven Wonders of Colombia.

Plaza del Minero Zipaquira Colombia Photo Credit Margarita Ibbott — Plaza del Minero – The Miner’s Plaza Zipaquirá, Colombia Photo Credit: M. Ibbott

The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá is located 49 kilometres (30 mi) north of Colombia’s capital city – Bogotá, at 2,652 metres (8,701 ft) with an average temperature of 14°C. The use of this mine has a history going back to pre-Columbian times and continuing in colonial and republican eras to the present day. The ancient Muisca indigenous people were the first to benefit from this enormous salt deposit, which turned them into one of the most prosperous pre-Hispanic societies of their time.

Plaza above the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá @DownshiftingPRO

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The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá was at one time a working mine. Before their shifts, miners would visit a small chapel built inside the salt mine to pray for their safety and protection from accidents. As the salt was mined, it left behind a network of tunnels and caverns. In 1990, the Cathedral had to close because of fissures in the salt rock, and a new cathedral was built.

A tribute to the salt miners in Zipaquira Colombia @DownshiftingPRO

Located 200 feet below the old cathedral, there was no shortage of challenges, the least of which was moving the 16-ton altar. They had to cut it up into three pieces, but it was worth it. The cathedral can hold up to 3,000 worshippers for mass. The current location serves as a place of worship and includes an area for shops featuring religious items, local artisanal products, and a small emerald museum.

Descending into the salt mines in Zipaquira Colombia @DownshiftingPRO — The tunnel you pass through to get to the Stations of the Cross

The Cathedral is a 2 km tunnel descending to the nave. Carved by hand, it took 5 years to build the separate chambers representing the 14 Stations of the Cross. The stations represent the sequence of events, considered by all Christians, to be the walk that Jesus Christ took to his crucifixion. The Way of the Cross is considered a pilgrimage, and prayers and reflections are said at each station. Pilgrims can kneel at various stone pews along the way.

Stations of the Cross

Jesus is condemned to death
Jesus carries His cross
Jesus falls for the first time
Jesus meets His mother, Mary
Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
Jesus falls for the second time

The Wonder of Colombia Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá @DownshiftingPRO — A station of the cross in the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá

Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
Jesus falls for the third time
Jesus is stripped of His clothes
Jesus is nailed to the cross
Jesus dies on the cross
Jesus is taken down from the cross
Jesus is placed in the tomb

One of the stations of the cross in the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá in Colombia

The Naves

The centre of the cathedral is composed of three naves, each representing the life cycle of Jesus: birth, death, and the resurrection. Each of the naves measures about the same at 120 meters long, 10 meters wide, and 18 meters high. Some of the most impressive structures are four gigantic pillars representing four apostles: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The Chapel

As you approach the most sacred space, the chapel, you will see the newest additions to the cathedral’s salt stone chandeliers. Each chandelier weighs 250 kilos, of which 215 kilos is salt. It is a technique designed by local artists to create a purple-tinge glow of light. This light is also present behind the 145-meter cross, which is carved into the stone.

La Virgen de Guasa Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira Photo Credit Margarita Ibbott — Virgen de Guasá (meaning salt and water) – Photo Credit: Margarita Ibbott

St. Gabriel Balcony

St. Gabriels balcony Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira Photo Credit Margarita Ibbott — St. Gabriel Balcony – Photo Credit: Margarita Ibbott

From the St. Gabriel balcony you look down towards this massive cross and think it stands alone, but it is in fact an optical illusion. When you reach the main nave, you will see how it is carved into the rock.

The 145 meter cross carved into the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira Colombia @DownshiftingPRO 1

The Dome

Step into the heart of this sacred space, hand-carved by seven devoted miners. Towering 8 metres high and spanning 11 metres across, it frames the world’s largest cross sculpted from pure salt. The dome’s rugged lower half evokes the raw, imperfect earth below, while its soaring upper reaches lift the eye towards the divine, the heavens, and the spirit beyond.

What you should know

By Car

You can reach the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá by driving from the city on National Highway 45A (which connects Bogotá and Zipaquirá).

By Train

You will take the Tren Turístico de La Sabana (La Sabana Tourist Train) from the Estación de Tren Usaquén (Usaquén train station). The La Sabana Tourist Train departs from the following points:

West side of Gran Estación shopping centre, Kr 66 with Cll 25, railway platform. Departure 8:45 am
Usaquén Station, Av kr 9 # 110 – 08, diagonally across from the Santa Ana shopping centre. Arrives 9:05 am – Departs 9:15 am.

Estación de Tren Usaquén - Tourist Train to Zipacira @Downshifting PRO

By Private Car

You can also take a private day tour with a company that begins in Bogota.

Although you can visit the small town of Zipaquirá, you will likely spend most of your time in the Parque de Zipaquirá (a complex of buildings above ground, the cathedral, shops, a climbing wall, and small museums). You will want to give yourself 3 hours to visit, with an additional hour for the town. Entry is staggered, and you may have to wait before going down into the cathedral.

Guided tours are available in Spanish and English. You can also listen to self-guided audio tours in seven languages (Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Mandarin).

The 145-meter cross in the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá in Colombia a must-see attraction just outside of Bogota. — **Pin it for Later**

There is a 3-D video “Nucuma” taking a trip through the different geological stages to show tourists how salt developed. It is 15 minutes in duration, and there is no additional cost.

Besides a commercial area, you will also find a spa with treatments directly related to salt. There is an additional cost for these.

Opening hours for the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá:

Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. Sunday Mass at 12:00 and 1:30 pm.

Rates:

Between COP$110,000 and COP$164,000, depending on the number of attractions the visitor wants to see. You can opt for the basic, standard, and premium options. Note these are all international rates; there are lower national rates if you are a citizen of Colombia.

Websites: Catedral de Sal and ProColombia

First Wonder of Colombia – The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá