Exploring Zipaquirá, Colombia 📸 Part 1

Exploring Zipaquirá, Colombia 📸 Part 1

For more information see this blog post on history and how to get to Zipaquirá.


How did the Cathedral start?

The Cathedral began because the early miners prayed before the start of the workday, as working in the mines was dangerous. Each miner never knew if they would survive the day. So they prayed to the Virgin of the Rosary of Guasá (meaning salt and water), the patron saint of miners, to protect them from toxic gases, explosions, or anything else that could happen to them inside the mines.

When you walk into the mines, you will see 14 small chapels representing the cross stations, illustrating Jesus' last journey—each chapel with a cross and kneeling platforms carved out of salt. The corridors also smell sulfur, as you are inside a salt mine; however, my guide told me it is suitable for respiratory, that is, as long as the ventilation is good, which it is now.

The Cathedral was constructing the more prominent Cathedral in 1950 and completed in 1954. It is believed that the Muisca also carved some of the original structures. Unfortunately, part of the original structure was shut down for safety reasons, but a new one was constructed and finished in 1995.

Location, how to get there.

The town of Zipaquirá is located 48 kilometers from Bogotá.

Take the bus from Terminal Salitre in Bogotá; you will need to follow the sign for Red # 3 and go to the window for the Alianza bus. You will not pay here, but the ticket agent will give you a piece of paper, and you will pay on the bus, which will cost 8k pesos. The bus will take 1 hour to 1 hour and 45 minutes, depending on traffic and stops.

Cost of the Salt Mines and Cathedral.

It costs foreigners 98k pesos (approx 21USD), and they will ask you for your document I.D. I never carry my passport but always have a picture on my phone; that works.

There are free English tours and an audio guide if you prefer.

Inside the mines, they have restaurants, stores, and even a spa, so you will not go hungry; they also have bathrooms at the last stop near the restaurants. If you have issues walking, they have a train to bring you back to the beginning instead of walking back through the mines, as well as ramps for wheelchairs and strollers. I saw a lot of people with their dogs in strollers.

Would I recommend visiting?

Yes, it was amazing to learn the Muisca people's history and how they mined the salt. The town of Zipacariá is medium-sized and has everything you need from ATMs and bus stations; if you prefer to take the train from Bogotá, that is also an option.

The hostel I stayed at.

On a budget, I stayed at Hostel Vanguardia Art; it is 50K pesos per night to stay in a four-bed dorm, I stayed two nights and was the only one, so it was like a private room.

The town is chilly since the city sits at an elevation of 8,694′; the salt mines are also a bit cold, so bring a jacket.

Overall the town is a typical Colombian pueblo, walking around the square you will see outdoor coffee shops, bakeries, and restaurants. The people are very friendly and I wish I had longer to spend here, however with Easter coming up, the town is full of those coming to see the Cathedral.

#colombia #zipaquirá #longtermtravel

Sara


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