Pray at the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral
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A 2-hour drive from Bogotá brings you to Zipaquira – one of the oldest cities in Colombia dating back to the Spanish conquest. Built 200 meters underground in the Halite Mountain, the Salt Cathedral, which has no official status as a cathedral or even a bishop, is a functioning church attracting as many as 3000 visitors a day.
The Halite mines have been exploited since the 5th century but it wasn’t until the 1930’s when miners carved out a sanctuary to use as their place for daily prayers so they could ask the saints for protection before starting work. In 1950, construction of a larger cathedral had begun and in 1954 it was dedicated to Our Lady of Rosary, the patron saint of miners. It was shut down in 1990 due to safety concerns over structural problems and then reopened 285 million dollars worth of construction later. The main sections of the building include the Stations of the Cross (14 small chapels illustrating Jesus’ final journey), the Dome and the three naves symbolizing the birth and death of Jesus. For tips on visiting Colombia CLICK HERE
For tips on visiting South America CLICK HERE For general travel tips on what to pack and how to plan ahead CLICK HERE For tips on travelling on a budget CLICK HERE
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Where I Stayed...
Hotel Ambala Cra. 5 No. 13- 46 Bogota, Columbia Tel: 342 6384 – 341 2376 www.hotelambala.com |
How to Get There - Fly into Bogota and take a taxi to Zipaquira
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