In Colombia there are many wonderful places, recognized worldwide for their architectural, cultural and historical greatness. Some of these sites are the Guatavita Lagoon, two hours from Bogotá, the Las Lajas Sanctuary in Pasto, or the Lost City of the Tayrona, in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Some of these wonders you can discover with us in our cultural activities.  

There is a place that is known as "The first wonder of Colombia" for its great cultural contribution of the Muiscas, an indigenous people from the areas of Bogotá, Cundinamarca and Boyacá, to the country's salt industry. This is known as the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral, located north of Bogotá (approximately 1 hour and a half away by car).  

Its history dates back to the use of salt in Colombian towns to preserve food (such as meat, chicken and fish) and as an official exchange currency, since a gram of salt was more important to them, which was equivalent to several hours. of work, than a gram of gold, which they obtained through the fusion of gold grains with copper or other materials. Salt was so important that the containers where it was kept, known as “gachas”, gave rise to the names of some small towns (Gachancipá) in the Colombian savannah. 

In pre-Columbian times, salt was extracted by evaporating saline water in large clay pots. But, in the colony, the Spanish forced the indigenous people to use extraction methods such as scraping the rock, from which only "chigua" salt was obtained, dark salt that was not suitable for human consumption, Colombians used it as medicine natural for various physical and psychological symptoms. Although, around the 1995th century, gunpowder techniques began to be used to access the points more easily. This generated that there was an industrial development of the town of Zipaquirá and it became a tourist place with a great sanctuary on its way, which was built in XNUMX. 

Would you like to learn more about the most beautiful natural landscapes in Colombia, as well as its impressive architectural wonders? At school Nueva Lengua You will learn Spanish while living tourist experiences around the entire country.  

Review the different activities we have for you, or write to us at info@nuevalengua.com for more information about our Spanish courses and cultural immersion in Colombia.