Witness History Colombia's Salt Cathedral
Nov 25, 2025
Jorge Enrique Castellblanco, a retired mining engineer, shares his incredible journey of designing the iconic Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá, Colombia. He recounts the touching origins of miners' makeshift altars from the 1930s and how a presidential visit inspired the cathedral's construction. Jorge delves into the architectural marvel of this underground wonder, revealing its intricate carvings, symbolic layout, and impressive visitor numbers. With aspirations to draw even more tourists, he highlights the significance of this unique site for the local community.
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Miners' Prayer Sparked A Cathedral
- Miners in Zipaquirá carved makeshift altars in the 1930s to pray for safety before shifts.
- Their request to President Laureano Gómez sparked the idea of building a full cathedral underground.
Old Cathedral Closed For Safety
- The original underground cathedral (1954) lasted around 35–40 years before structural issues forced closure.
- Mining operations required relocating and reconstructing the sanctuary deeper for safety.
Building Deeper With Explosives And Salt
- Jorge Enrique Castellblanco led construction of a new cathedral 180 metres underground starting in 1991.
- The project used 71 tonnes of explosives and required extracting 250,000 tonnes of salt.