The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá (Spanish: Catedral de Sal de Zipaquirá) is an underground Roman Catholic church built within the tunnels of a salt mine 200 metres (660 ft) underground in a halite mountain near the city of Zipaquirá, in Cundinamarca, Colombia. It is a tourist destination and place of pilgrimage in the country.[2] The temple at the bottom has three sections, representing the birth, life, and death of Jesus. The icons, ornaments and architectural details are hand carved in the halite rock. Some marble sculptures are included. The cathedral is considered one of the most notable achievements of Colombian architecture,[3] being described as a "Jewel of Modern Architecture".[4] The cathedral represents a valuable cultural, environmental and religious patrimony for the Colombian people.[5]
The cathedral is a functioning church that receives as many as 3,000 visitors on Sundays, but it has no bishop and therefore no official status as a cathedral in Catholicism.[6]
Salt deposits in Zipaquirá were formed around 250 million years ago, and were raised above sea level during the late Tertiary period, when the Andes were formed.[7]
LocationEdit
The complex is located in Zipaquirá, in Cundinamarca Department, 49 kilometres (30 mi) north of Bogota, at 2,652 metres (8,701 ft) altitude. National highway 45A connects Bogotá and Zipaquirá, as does the Tren Turistico De La Sabana (Savanna tourist train). The city is recognized, not only for the cathedral, but for being near one of the oldest human settlements in the Americas, El Abra archaeological site.[8]
HistoryEdit
The halite mines were exploited already by the pre-ColumbianMuisca culture since the 5th century BC.[9] being one of their most important economic activities.[7][10] The traditional halite mining was described by Alexander von Humboldt during his visit to Zipaquira in 1801.[11] He depicts this deposit as bigger than the main halite mines of the time, such as those in Spain, Switzerland, Poland and the County of Tyrol with a calculated resource estimation of one million cubic meters. Von Humboldt also criticized the excavation techniques as being unpractical for future exploitation, recommending drift mining instead, since the halite tunnels don't require beams, lowering the costs.[11]
Years before the underground church was built (around 1932), the miners had carved a sanctuary, as a place for their daily prayers asking for protection to the saints before starting to work. In 1950, the construction of a bigger project had begun: the Salt Cathedral which was inaugurated on August 15, 1954, and dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, Patron saint of miners. It was compound of three naves and a monumental cross. Part of the galleries were actually carved by the ancient Muisca. However, as the church was carved inside an active mine, structural problems and safety concerns led the authorities to shut it in September 1992. This construction cost of the original church was over 285 million U.S. dollars.[12] The building had 120 m length, 5.500 m² surface and 22 m height. It had six main columns, and a maximum capacity of 8000 people.
The main nave included the monumental cross, which was illuminated from the base up, projecting a large cross-shaped shadow in the ceiling. The right nave included the Stations of the Cross icons and the Rosary chapel, with the Virgin of Rosary Icon (sculpted by Daniel Rodriguez Moreno and later transported to the new cathedral). The left nave included the icons of the birth of Jesus and the baptism of Jesus, with a waterfall symbolising the Jordan River.
New cathedralEdit
Main altar in the new cathedral with cross and angel sculpture.
The Industrial Investment Institute, together with Salinas Concession and the Colombian Society of Architects opened a contest for the design of the new cathedral, the winner of which was the project presented by Roswell Garavito Pearl[13] which included structural changes in the access tunnel and the dome.
In 1991 the construction of a new cathedral was undertaken, 200 feet under the older one. This new Cathedral was inaugurated on December 16, 1995. Its various corridors and sanctuaries were achieved by making small but significant additions to the caves left behind by previous mining operations.
The main sections of the building are:
The Stations of the Cross: At the entrance of the church, there are 14 small chapels, representing the stations of the cross, which illustrate the events of Jesus' last journey. Each station has a cross and several kneeling platforms carved into the halite structure.
The Dome: Located at the end of the main descending entrance ramp. From here, the visitor descends to the bas relief cross chambers, the balcony and the Narthex labyrinth.
The three naves: They are interconnected by a crack, symbolising the birth and death of Christ. Copies of Creation of Adam and Pietá can be seen.
The cathedral has an electrical generator and access for vehicles to the inner space (for emergencies only).
Salt ParkEdit
Holy Family sculpture.
The cathedral is within a larger complex, Parque de la Sal (Salt Park),[14] which also includes a museum of mining, mineralogy, geology and natural resources. The Salt Park covers an area of 32 hectares (79 acres). Visitors can observe pieces of art, depictions of the mining process, geology displays, educational exhibitions about environmental friendly mining and sustainable development
The main places at the park are:
The Sacred Axis, a square with a halite hand carved cross (4.2 metres (14 ft) height)
The Brine Museum, where visitors learn about the extraction process of salt from the halite. Also, exhibitions of the geological studies, engineering and architecture process in the creation of the cathedral can be seen.
^Corporación Autónoma Regional de Cundinamarca CAR. Catedral de sal de Zipaquirá entre las siete maravillas de Colombia. [1][permanent dead link]
^. Catedral de Sal. Archived from the original on 2016-01-29. Retrieved 2016-01-22. For pastoral and administrative reasons, we inform that only the sacraments of the Eucharist and confession are administered in The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá (No wedngs are performed, or baptisms etc.).
^ abCardale de Schrimpff, Marianne, Breve informe sobre unas excavaciones arqueológicas realizadas en las salinas de Zipaquirá, Cundinamarca, in: Boletín Museo del Oro 2009-10-15 at the Wayback Machine, Banco de la República, Colombia 2009-09-26 at the Wayback Machine, No. 1, enero-abril de 1978, p. 39-41
^Langebaek, Carl H., 1987: Mercados, poblamiento e integración étnica entre los muiscas —siglo XVI. Banco de la República, Bogotá
^ abVon Humboldt, Alexander, 2003: "Memoria razonada de las salinas de Zipaquirá", Ed. Epígrafe, con el respaldo de Colciencias, referenciado por Fundación Editorial Epígrafe 2008-12-16 at the Wayback Machine, Colombia
^Información suministrada por la Catedral de Sal, Coordinación Comercial, Zipaquirá, Colombia
^Historia del Parque de la Sal, En: Catedral de Sal, Zipaquirá, Colombia[permanent dead link]
salt, cathedral, zipaquirá, salt, cathedral, redirects, here, band, salt, cathedral, band, spanish, catedral, zipaquirá, underground, roman, catholic, church, built, within, tunnels, salt, mine, metres, underground, halite, mountain, near, city, zipaquirá, cun. Salt Cathedral redirects here For the band see Salt Cathedral band The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira Spanish Catedral de Sal de Zipaquira is an underground Roman Catholic church built within the tunnels of a salt mine 200 metres 660 ft underground in a halite mountain near the city of Zipaquira in Cundinamarca Colombia It is a tourist destination and place of pilgrimage in the country 2 The temple at the bottom has three sections representing the birth life and death of Jesus The icons ornaments and architectural details are hand carved in the halite rock Some marble sculptures are included The cathedral is considered one of the most notable achievements of Colombian architecture 3 being described as a Jewel of Modern Architecture 4 The cathedral represents a valuable cultural environmental and religious patrimony for the Colombian people 5 Salt Cathedral of ZipaquiraCatedral de SalLa Creacion del Hombre sculpture by Carlos Enrique Rodriguez 1 Based in The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo Central Barrel vaultReligionAffiliationRoman CatholicDistrictDiocese of ZipaquiraLocationLocationZipaquira ColombiaArchitectureTypeChurchCompleted1950The cathedral is a functioning church that receives as many as 3 000 visitors on Sundays but it has no bishop and therefore no official status as a cathedral in Catholicism 6 Contents 1 Geology 2 Location 3 History 3 1 Old cathedral 3 2 New cathedral 4 Salt Park 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksGeology EditSalt deposits in Zipaquira were formed around 250 million years ago and were raised above sea level during the late Tertiary period when the Andes were formed 7 Location EditThe complex is located in Zipaquira in Cundinamarca Department 49 kilometres 30 mi north of Bogota at 2 652 metres 8 701 ft altitude National highway 45A connects Bogota and Zipaquira as does the Tren Turistico De La Sabana Savanna tourist train The city is recognized not only for the cathedral but for being near one of the oldest human settlements in the Americas El Abra archaeological site 8 History EditThe halite mines were exploited already by the pre Columbian Muisca culture since the 5th century BC 9 being one of their most important economic activities 7 10 The traditional halite mining was described by Alexander von Humboldt during his visit to Zipaquira in 1801 11 He depicts this deposit as bigger than the main halite mines of the time such as those in Spain Switzerland Poland and the County of Tyrol with a calculated resource estimation of one million cubic meters Von Humboldt also criticized the excavation techniques as being unpractical for future exploitation recommending drift mining instead since the halite tunnels don t require beams lowering the costs 11 Old cathedral Edit Main altar of the old cathedral with crossYears before the underground church was built around 1932 the miners had carved a sanctuary as a place for their daily prayers asking for protection to the saints before starting to work In 1950 the construction of a bigger project had begun the Salt Cathedral which was inaugurated on August 15 1954 and dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary Patron saint of miners It was compound of three naves and a monumental cross Part of the galleries were actually carved by the ancient Muisca However as the church was carved inside an active mine structural problems and safety concerns led the authorities to shut it in September 1992 This construction cost of the original church was over 285 million U S dollars 12 The building had 120 m length 5 500 m surface and 22 m height It had six main columns and a maximum capacity of 8000 people The main nave included the monumental cross which was illuminated from the base up projecting a large cross shaped shadow in the ceiling The right nave included the Stations of the Cross icons and the Rosary chapel with the Virgin of Rosary Icon sculpted by Daniel Rodriguez Moreno and later transported to the new cathedral The left nave included the icons of the birth of Jesus and the baptism of Jesus with a waterfall symbolising the Jordan River New cathedral Edit Main altar in the new cathedral with cross and angel sculpture The Industrial Investment Institute together with Salinas Concession and the Colombian Society of Architects opened a contest for the design of the new cathedral the winner of which was the project presented by Roswell Garavito Pearl 13 which included structural changes in the access tunnel and the dome In 1991 the construction of a new cathedral was undertaken 200 feet under the older one This new Cathedral was inaugurated on December 16 1995 Its various corridors and sanctuaries were achieved by making small but significant additions to the caves left behind by previous mining operations The main sections of the building are The Stations of the Cross At the entrance of the church there are 14 small chapels representing the stations of the cross which illustrate the events of Jesus last journey Each station has a cross and several kneeling platforms carved into the halite structure The Dome Located at the end of the main descending entrance ramp From here the visitor descends to the bas relief cross chambers the balcony and the Narthex labyrinth The three naves They are interconnected by a crack symbolising the birth and death of Christ Copies of Creation of Adam and Pieta can be seen Four large cylindric columns represent the Four EvangelistsThe cathedral has an electrical generator and access for vehicles to the inner space for emergencies only Salt Park Edit Holy Family sculpture The cathedral is within a larger complex Parque de la Sal Salt Park 14 which also includes a museum of mining mineralogy geology and natural resources The Salt Park covers an area of 32 hectares 79 acres Visitors can observe pieces of art depictions of the mining process geology displays educational exhibitions about environmental friendly mining and sustainable developmentThe main places at the park are The Sacred Axis a square with a halite hand carved cross 4 2 metres 14 ft height The Salt Dome The mine The Brine Museum where visitors learn about the extraction process of salt from the halite Also exhibitions of the geological studies engineering and architecture process in the creation of the cathedral can be seen The Reservoir The Forests The Salt auditorium Water Mirror See also EditNemocon neighbouring salt mine to the northeast Bochnia Salt Mine southern Poland central Europe Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow in Poland central Europe Khewra Salt Mine in Punjab Pakistan Kartchner Caverns State Park in Arizona United States Grand Roc in Savoie France southern Europe Chelm Chalk Tunnels Poland central Europe Frasassi Caves Ancona in Italy southern Europe Salina Turda Transylvania Romania List of colossal sculptures in situReferences Edit Obras del Maestro Carlos Enrique Rodriguez Arango en la Catedral de Sal Taller de las Artes Bogota Sitio Oficial Cala Bibiana 2000 Los relatos populares reactivados por la institucion social del turismo el caso de Zipaquira y Nemocon Monografia de tesis Universidad de Los Andes Bogota El nuevo Diario Brujula para leer Zipaquira Archived 2009 05 19 at the Wayback Machine Las 7 maravillas de Colombia Zipaquira Colombia Terra Viajes Corporacion Autonoma Regional de Cundinamarca CAR Catedral de sal de Zipaquira entre las siete maravillas de Colombia 1 permanent dead link Church Services Catedral de Sal Archived from the original on 2016 01 29 Retrieved 2016 01 22 For pastoral and administrative reasons we inform that only the sacraments of the Eucharist and confession are administered in The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira No wedngs are performed or baptisms etc a b Cardale de Schrimpff Marianne Breve informe sobre unas excavaciones arqueologicas realizadas en las salinas de Zipaquira Cundinamarca in Boletin Museo del Oro Archived 2009 10 15 at the Wayback Machine Banco de la Republica Colombia Archived 2009 09 26 at the Wayback Machine No 1 enero abril de 1978 p 39 41 Correal Urrego Gonzalo Van der Hammen Thomas and Lerman J C 1970 Artefactos liticos de abrigos en El Abra Colombia Revista Colombiana de Antropologia 14 9 46 Zipaquira Salt Cathedral Archived 2007 09 28 at the Wayback Machine Langebaek Carl H 1987 Mercados poblamiento e integracion etnica entre los muiscas siglo XVI Banco de la Republica Bogota a b Von Humboldt Alexander 2003 Memoria razonada de las salinas de Zipaquira Ed Epigrafe con el respaldo de Colciencias referenciado por Fundacion Editorial Epigrafe Archived 2008 12 16 at the Wayback Machine Colombia Informacion suministrada por la Catedral de Sal Coordinacion Comercial Zipaquira Colombia Historia del Parque de la Sal En Catedral de Sal Zipaquira Colombia permanent dead link Catedral de Sal de ZipaquiraExternal links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Catedral de Sal in Spanish Catedral de Sal de Zipaquira Official site of the Salt Cathedral in Spanish Catedral de Sal An art film by H Paul Moon in Spanish El Tiempo Catedral de Sal de Zipaquira el milagro de los mineros en las entranas de la tierra5 01 08 N 74 00 33 W 5 01876 N 74 0093 W 5 01876 74 0093 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira amp oldid 1145219583, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
