COL: Guatavita Lake and Zipaquira Salt Cathedral Tour (Part 2)
Cundinamarca, Colombia
Subsequently, we reached the dome, but the lighting was way too dim to capture a clear picture of it.
Here's the narthex: an entryway before entering the main worship area.
As a quick recap, in Part 1, I immersed myself in the beauty of Guatavita Lake outside of Bogota, Colombia. After a delightful lunch, the full-day tour continued to the awe-inspiring depths of Zipaquira Salt Cathedral. Completed in 1950, this remarkable structure is hailed as one of the most notable achievements in Colombian architecture.
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COL: Guatavita Lake and Zipaquira Salt Cathedral Tour (Part 2) <YOU ARE HERE!>
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After our morning hike, our stomachs began to rumble, eager for a hearty meal to refuel us.
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| It took about half an hour from the lake to our lunch destination. |
The scent of grilled meat wafting in the air, the cheerful clinking of glasses and the hum of conversations truly made Brasas del Llano the perfect spot for lunch.
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| Of course I couldn't wait sampling the crispy pork. |
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| This place, which really isn't a tourist trap, has got all sorts of country flags. |
Satisfied from the hearty lunch, we grew in anticipation as we approached Zipaquira Salt Cathedral. The tour price of COP 310,000 (~S$92.45) per person includes the entrance fee.
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| We'd take that 'choo-choo train' to exit from the mine later. |
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| There's no additional fee to use the audio guide. |
We were given an hour and a half to explore on our own. The air inside the mine was cool and heavy with the scent of salt.
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| Covering an area of 5,500 square metres, the cathedral is situated 180 m underground. |
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| The construction cost was over US$285 million (~S$378 million). |
Prior to its conversion to a Roman Catholic church, miners had carved a sanctuary as a place for their prayers asking for protection before starting to work.
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| The monumental construction required the extraction of 250 thousand tonnes of rock salt. |
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| I wonder how many country flags are featured in the rotating LED display. |
Despite it acting as a functioning church that attracts thousands of visitors on Sundays, it actually has no official status as a cathedral in Catholicism as it operates without a bishop.
The first part of the cathedral takes you through fourteen small chapels, each representing the Stations of the Cross. Have a look at some of them.
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| Station I: Jesus is condemned to death |
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| Station VIII: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem |
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| Station XII: Jesus dies on the Cross |
We descended deeper into the mine.
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| Is there any musical instrument that angels don't play? |
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| Pink or blue for you? |
One section is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary of Guasa.
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| Our Lady of the Rosary of Guasa is the patron saint of the miners. |
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| How long would it take for such a large candle to burn completely? |
There was a temporary art exhibition taking place during our visit.
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| Aren't those flowers from Mario Bros? |
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| Do you support euthanasia? |
Is it just me, or do you also vision the image of a skull?
Welcome to the main hall!
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| Not surprisingly, that's the largest underground cross in the world. |
I was deeply immersed in the projection inside the cathedral.
I thought to myself, "So glad I booked this tour!"
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| The striking red illumination cast an intense, almost otherworldly atmosphere. |
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| That's a stone relief inspired by Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam. |
There are some eateries inside the mine.
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| That’s probably the café with the nicest vibe |
Besides the cathedral, the mine offers a range of other attractions to explore.
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| What's Egyptian stuff doing there? |
There are plenty of shops to browse around.
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| Which facial expression do you like the most? |
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| So... Do you believe in the legend of El Dorado? |
Take note of this particular shop.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the sight of the Mirror Lake, a perfectly still pool of water that reflects the ceiling and walls of the illuminated cavern, towards the back of the shop.
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| The wide-angle shot doesn't do enough justice, but enjoy the photos below. |
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| I felt like I was stepping into the world of Tomb Raider, imagining myself as Lara Croft. |
We walked to the end of the tunnel to catch the ride that would take us out of the mine.
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| What an impressive carving! |
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| What's your best VR experience? |
Fresh air at last!
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| I almost went to Dominican Republic in 2018 when I had the chance to go to the Caribbean. |
As we were driven back to Bogota, Mauricio handed us some sweets as a thoughtful gesture. After a day filled with excitement, it was time to say goodbye to everyone.
It was a truly unforgettable day. I'm really thankful for the seamless journey and the opportunity to connect with wonderful people from across the globe.
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