This colonial town, 49 km north of Bogotá, is famous for its underground Salt Cathedral carved inside ancient salt mines and its preserved 17th-century main square.
Zipaquirá, 49 kilometers north of Bogotá, grew around one of South America's largest salt deposits. You can descend 200 feet underground to explore chambers and tunnels carved from salt rock, or walk through streets lined with 18th-century buildings painted in white and green. The town comes alive during Holy Week when religious processions wind through its colonial streets, continuing traditions that started in the 1960s.
Inside the Salt Cathedral
As you descend into the former mining tunnels, you'll walk 75 meters through illuminated passages that reach depths of 200 feet. The main chamber rises 25 meters high, with a cross carved into the back wall. Up to 10,000 people can gather in this space. The pathway leads you through 14 small chapels called "The Stations of the Cross," where salt rock carvings tell Jesus's story. Each chapel has its own prayer space with kneelers. While the Catholic Church hasn't officially recognized this as a cathedral, more than 3,000 people attend services here each Sunday.
Colonial Architecture in the City Center
At González Forero Square, you'll find yourself surrounded by 1700s architecture. The stone cathedral took over a century to build (1760-1870), with intricate stonework covering its facade and a balanced Spanish colonial layout. The city hall and Salinas administration building catch the eye with their green republican-style roofs rising above white walls. Walking the nearby streets, you'll pass colonial houses with wooden balconies hanging over the sidewalks and red terracotta roof tiles.
Holy Week Celebrations
During Holy Week, the Nazarene of Zipaquirá Congregation leads daily processions through the city streets. Members carry centuries-old Spanish religious relics along traditional routes through the historic center. Both locals and visitors join these processions, which blend Catholic rituals with local customs developed over 54 years.
Archaeological Discoveries
The Abra Valley between Zipaquirá and Tocancipá holds evidence of early human life dating back 12,500 years. Archaeologists have uncovered tools, cooking sites, and settlement remains on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense plateau. Animal bones and artifacts from these sites help researchers understand how early civilizations developed in South America.
Getting to Zipaquirá
You can catch buses from Bogotá's Portal del Norte station, which depart every 5-10 minutes throughout the day. The journey takes one hour on the Bogotá-Chía-Cajicá-Zipaquirá highway. When you arrive at Calle 4, walk up the car-free street with shops and cafes to reach the main plaza. Trains also run from Bogotá, though less frequently than buses.
