Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira

The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira is an underground Roman Catholic church built in the tunnels of a salt mine 200 meters underground in the Halit Mountains, near the town of Zipaquira in Colombia. It is quite a popular place among tourists and pilgrims. It is also a religious center and one of the most famous Catholic shrines in the country.

(Total 10 photos)

1. A few years before this underground church was built (c. 1932), the miners of this salt mine carved a small chapel for daily prayers - they asked for protection from the saints before the start of each working day.

2. In 1950, they began building a larger church, the Salt Cathedral, which opened on August 15, 1954 and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary of the Rosary, the patroness of miners.

3. The cathedral has three naves and a majestic cross illuminated at the base. As a result, a large shadow from the cross formed on the ceiling.

4. In the right nave are the Stations of the Cross and the chapel of the Rosary with the icon of the Virgin Mary.

5. In the left nave are icons of the birth of Jesus and his baptism, as well as a waterfall, symbolizing the Jordan River.

6. However, because the cathedral was carved inside an active mine, in 1990 the authorities decided to close it for safety reasons.

7. In 1991, construction began on a new cathedral, which was supposed to be located 60 meters below the old one.

8. Various corridors and shrines were built by adding caves to the remaining tunnels in the mine.

9. Stunning lighting and the scale of proportions of the cathedral are amazing.

10. Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira is considered one of the most outstanding architectural and artistic achievements of Colombian architecture. He was even awarded the title of modern architectural gem.