Zipaquirá: Beyond the cathedral - Freetour

We are going to tour and reveal the mysteries of the city of salt beyond the Cathedral. This city with its history and its particular magic has been the site of great and important events in the history of Colombia. Likewise, it has a rich material and intangible heritage that makes it one of the municipalities that you should know in Colombia. Although the cathedral is its most impressive work, you should not miss everything else it offers and what better way to do it than with us on an enjoyable and fun free walking tour through the historic center of the city. Our tour is as follows:

1. **Salt Cathedral:**
Our tour starts from an architectural and religious wonder 180 meters deep in a salt mine. Considered the first wonder of Colombia and cultural heritage of humanity. Inside, sculptures and reliefs carved in salt and marble create a mystical atmosphere. Consecrated to the Via Crucis, with capacity for 8,000 people. We will take a brief look at its history.

2. **Archaeological Museum:**
Space dedicated to Colombian pre-Hispanic cultures with a collection of more than a thousand pieces representative of 19 indigenous groups. Educational and recreational tour in Villaveces Park, next to the entrance to the Salt Cathedral.

3. **Quevedo Zornoza House:**
Colonial house of the Quevedo family, donated to the Zipaquirá National Foundation as a museum of customs. It preserves furniture, objects and works of art reflecting the era, a tribute to the poet Roberto Mac Douall.

4. **Cathedral and main square of Zipaquirá:**
Diocesan cathedral of neoclassical style, a work from the 19th century that replaced a previous church where the Communal Capitulations were signed. Raised to Cathedral in 1952. Highlights include the main altar, organ, stained glass windows and paintings by Gregorio Vásquez de Arce y Ceballos. Plaza de los Comuneros, historical and political center, with a monument to the Zipaquieño martyrs. Cobbled square in 1823, scene of the first revolution in America.

5. **La Concepción Church:**
The Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows is a colonial chaplaincy that was built on an ancient hermitage. It was ordained by a priest who also remodeled the priest's house. The remains of the Zipaquieño martyrs were kept in the Chapel and the Patron Saint Festival was celebrated on September 15.

6. **Independence Square:**
Modern square inaugurated in 2010 with sculpture by Antonio Nariño. Surrounded by cafes, restaurants and bars, it offers a varied gastronomic and musical offering.

7. **Sagrario Chapel:**
The Chapel of the Tabernacle is a colonial chapel attached to the Diocesan Cathedral that was built in 1887 and was called the Chapel of Peace. It was used as a theater and cinema, but it was recovered in 1966 to honor the Blessed Sacrament. Its façade is the same as that of the Hermitage of Santa Bárbara.

8. **Gabriel García Márquez Cultural Center:**
The Casa del Nobel Gabriel García Márquez Cultural Center is a former school where the writer studied and where he fell in love with literature. Now it is a space for training, art and culture of Zipaquirá. It is also part of the Macondo Route, which runs through places related to the life and work of García Márquez.

9. **Arturo Wagner House of Culture:**
The Arturo Wagner House of Culture is a cultural institution founded in 1962 by Don Arturo Wagner together with two intellectuals and a historian. It was the first of its kind in Cundinamarca and the second in Colombia

10. **Square of the Zipaquieño martyrs:**
Plaza that pays tribute to the patriots shot in 1816. Monument inaugurated in 1910, restored in 2016. Place of memory and recognition of the heroes of independence.

11. **Zipaquirá train station:**
It is an architectural work of French neoclassical style, inaugurated in 1827 and declared a national monument in 1996. It was the first train station in Cundinamarca and connected Zipaquirá with Bogotá and other cities on the savanna. The station is located in the Parque de la Esperanza, an emblematic place in the city.