Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, Cave church in salt mine, Zipaquirá, Colombia.
The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá is an underground church inside a working mine in Colombia, located 180 meters below the surface. Three main sections organize the space: a long entrance tunnel, a central hall with a cross, and several smaller chapels along the side passages.
People began extracting salt from these mountains in the 5th century BC, long before Spaniards reached the region. Miners built the first chapel in the 1950s, but the current facility opened in 1995 following new designs deeper inside the mountain.
The salt blocks shimmer in shades ranging from white to pink when light catches the crystals. Visitors can touch the tall columns and sense the mineral scent of the underground deposit.
Warm clothing is advisable, as the temperature inside remains steady at around 14 degrees Celsius (57 degrees Fahrenheit). The route includes stairs and ramps, so visitors should wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for slopes.
A large cross on the wall glows from within, as engineers embedded lights into the salt structure. Some visitors notice a faint salty taste in the air when breathing.
Location: Zipaquirá
Inception: 1995
Website: https://catedraldesal.gov.co
GPS coordinates: 5.01876,-74.00930
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:03
Underground locations provide insights into geological processes and human history. Natural caves display limestone formations, stalactites, and subterranean rivers formed over thousands of years. Artificial sites include Roman catacombs, medieval cellars, and mining tunnels that document economic and social developments. This collection features prehistoric burial chambers with wall paintings, extensive cave systems with lakes and passages, and historical mines for salt, copper, or coal. Visitors can explore archaeological findings, mineral formations, and technical installations from earlier periods. Temperatures remain constant throughout the year, and many sites offer guided tours through their underground chambers.
South America preserves a monumental heritage that reflects centuries of history, from pre-Columbian civilizations to the contemporary era. This collection includes archaeological sites, colonial-era religious buildings, public squares, and modern artistic creations scattered across the continent. Each monument tells a part of South American history, whether it be ancient fortresses, Baroque churches, or recent sculptures. Among these sites are the Santa Catalina Arch in Antigua, Guatemala, a 17th-century construction that once connected two convents; the Public Market in Porto Alegre, Brazil, a functioning 19th-century commercial building; and Desert Hand in Chile, a contemporary sculpture of 11 meters rising from the Atacama Desert. The Middle of the World monument near Quito, Ecuador, marks the equator line, while the Christ of the Pacific overlooks Lima from its hill. These monuments, whether of pre-Columbian, colonial, or modern origin, provide tangible insight into the cultural and architectural development of the South American continent.
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