Zipaquirá

Zipaquirá is a city and municipality in the department of Cundinamarca, Colombia. It lies on the Bogotá savanna, about 50 kilometers north of Bogotá, at an altitude of roughly 2,500 to 2,600 meters above sea level. The town is a regional center for commerce, culture, and tourism, and it is part of the wider Bogotá metropolitan area.

Historically, the area was inhabited by the Muisca, who exploited salt from local deposits. After the Spanish conquest, Zipaquirá was founded in 1537 by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada and developed around mining, agriculture, and religious institutions. The historic center preserves colonial-era architecture and plazas, reflecting its long-standing role in the region.

The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá is one of the city’s defining landmarks. Built inside a salt mine, it is an underground Roman Catholic cathedral that has become a major pilgrimage site and tourist attraction. The site began as a miners’ chapel in the mid-20th century and was expanded in subsequent decades, integrating chapels, sculptures, and lighting within the mine’s tunnels.

Economically, salt mining has historically shaped Zipaquirá, though today tourism and services are important along with agricultural activity in the surrounding area. The city offers cultural events, a well-preserved colonial core, and proximity to natural and archaeological attractions in the Cundinamarca region.

Transport links connect Zipaquirá by road to Bogotá and other northern municipalities, with regional highways and local transit serving residents and visitors.