These spectacular salt mines are located in the municipality of Nemocón, department of Cundinamarca, near Bogotá, 30 minutes (65 km) from Zipaquirá.
Las Minas de Nemocón is an excellent destination for those who want to know more about the history of mining in Colombia.
The mine has more than 500 years of history, it is a natural wonder combined with almost perfect architecture; Inside you will find Salt Waterfall with more than 80 years and also the well-known wishing well.
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How to get to the Nemocón Mines?
Go to the Nemocón Mines by bus
If you go by bus from the city of Bogotá, you just have to take it at the Salitre transport terminal to Nemocón, the ticket costs 7,800 per person and takes approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.
Go to the Nemocón Mines in TURISTREN or the Sabana Tourist Train
This train goes to Zipaquirá and there they offer you the transport service with entrance to the Mine. The value of the ticket is 60,000 adults, for over 60 years it costs 54,000 as well as for children up to 12 years.
Go to the Nemocón Mines by car
If you go by car, from Bogotá, you must take the North Highway with 170th Street to get out. The trip takes 1 hour 15 min; the recommended route is Chía – Cajicá – Zipaquirá – Nemocón. On the road you will find a toll with a value of 8,400 pesos.
Go to the Nemocón Mines in Taxi
If you take a taxi the cost of the trip will be $ 120,000 to 130,000 pesos. It takes 1 hour 15 minutes.
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Fun facts about the Nemocón Mines:
The word Nemocon means “warrior’s lament.”
It is the first salt mine exploited in Colombia.
Its route takes 1 hour to 80 meters underground, for 1,600 meters of tunnels, which 8 million tons of salt were extracted for its construction.
The salt extracted from the mine was used for cooking and manufacturing textile products, soaps, medicines and more.
Indigenous legend
The mines of Nemocón have an indigenous legend that consists in the fact that the Zipa Nemequene, cacique, fell asleep at the foot of the shade of a Sabanero rubber tree where he had a dream that predicted the arrival of the Spaniards in their horses, who enslaved them and Take away all their wealth.
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Why choose the Minas de Nemocón as your destination for your next trip?
You will be amazed by all the architectural work that you will find in the mines, it is a unique tour.
The Heart of Nemocón
Inside is “The Heart of Nemocon“, which is a large crystal formed purely by salt; it is something surprising and very romantic if you go with your couple. Many go underground to find it and even propose marriage to their couple in this wonderful place.
The salt crystal heart weighs 1,600 kilos and is the largest in South America, it was found in 1905, but hand carved in the 60’s by a miner named Miguel Sánchez. It was finished with a faint and romantic touch that gives it a red light that was placed later.
Lounges in the mines of Nemocón
The mine has several rooms, each very special and different; the most sought after are: water mirrors, the wishing well, the chapel of the Virgen del Carmen, the miner’s room, among others.
Chapel of the Virgen del Carmen
It was built in 1946 and is considered the patron of Colombian miners, drivers and police. In this room there is a huge virgin and a stone sphere that 1,300 kilos and symbolizes at the feet of the virgin, the world.
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RATES 2019
Entrance fees to the Nemocón Salt Mine
- $ 29,000 pesos (USD $ 9.35) – Adult
- $ 20,000 pesos (USD $ 6.45) – Children from 4 to 12 years old, disabled and adults over 60 years.
- Special rates for groups, private and public schools.
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Hours of the Nemocón Salt Mine:
It is open to the public every day from 9:00 a.m. at 5:00 p.m.
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Enter our social networks to see images and videos of tourist places in Colombia; as well as Minca, Gotsezhy, Tayrona Park, Lost City, Punta Gallinas and Cabo de la Vela in La Guajira
The photos about the Minas de Nemocón used in this blog, were takem from www.facebook.com/MinadeSal/
