Last updated on .
The town of Nemocón is fairly small but beautiful. It’s worth wandering through town and visiting the Nemocón Salt Mine.
Introduction to Nemocón
Before the Spanish conquest, Nemocón was originally settled by the Muisca people, who started salt mining in the region. The Spanish then used the Muisca as slaves to extract the salt. The modern town was founded on July 26, 1600, by Luis Henríquez.
Today, Nemocón is a popular tourist destination for day trippers from Bogotá and continues to be a center of salt production. It’s also one of the country’s most important places for cultivation of flowers.
Getting to Nemocón
There’s no direct transport from Bogotá to Nemocón. Buses run frequently between Nemocón and Zipaquirá. The ride takes just under a half hour. You can get out of the bus near the entrance to the salt mine.
Where to Eat in Nemocón
There are some good choices for food in town, especially near the salt mine.
Hornos de Sal
Outside the entrance to the mine are a few restaurants catering to tourists. We stopped by Hornos de Sal to have lunch after our visit to the mine. It has an interesting interior decorated like a salt mine, and another brighter dining room to the rear.
Unfortunately, the food wasn’t up to par. Each of us had steaks that were too rubbery. We wouldn’t eat there again. You’re probably better off trying your luck elsewhere in town.
Nemocón Salt Mine
Most tourists head to Zipaquirá to see the famous Salt Cathedral, but in the nearby town of Nemocón, it’s possible to get a much more in-depth look at the salt mining industry.
The Nemocón Salt Mine (Mina de Sal de Nemocón), which is the major draw to the town, is a former salt mine used for over 400 years. The second biggest salt mine in Colombia, over 8 million tons of salt were extracted there between 1816 and 1968. It has since been converted to a museum and has some incredible things inside. The trail is about 1,600 meters long and takes visitors 80 meters underground. It’s still on the touristy side but for us it was a much better experience than the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá.
Visiting the Nemocón Salt Mine
Adult admission is COP$45,000 for foreigners (as of June 2024) and includes a 90-minute guided tour. There should be English speaking guides available at the entrance. Check the official website for more info.
Museum
The first part of the tour is in the small museum. The guide talks about the formation of salt in the area and some of the animals that lived there in prehistoric times.
Tour of the Salt Mine
After the museum, guests are given a hard hat to wear inside the mine and escorted to the entrance. It’s a short and sometimes slippery walk down the mine shaft to the first tunnel and a quick orientation.
The natural mirror is the next stop. This small pool of water runs the length of the tunnel and makes a perfect reflection of everything around it. The colored lighting adds to the effect. Guests are given the opportunity to buy a photo of their group next to the pool.
Continuing along, we were shown movie props from the movie “Los 33” starring Antonio Banderas. It’s about the 2010 Chilean mining disaster in which 33 men were trapped underground for 69 days before being rescued. Part of the movie was filmed in this mine.
Next, we were shown a salt cascade, a small salt church in which local weddings are sometimes performed, and a heart made out of solid salt.
The rest of the tour showed us how water was used to extract salt from the mine along with a small history of salt mining in Colombia.
Plaza in Nemocón
The main plaza has a nice open space in the center filled with trees and is surrounded by colorful colonial buildings. On the end with the church is a sign spelling out “I Love Nemocón”.
Church of St. Francis of Assisi
The focal point of the plaza is the Church of St. Francis of Assisi (Templo San Francisco de Assis), which was completed in 1883.
Government House
To the right of the church is the colorful Government House (Casa de Gobierno). It was built between 1915 and 1922. I really appreciated the woodwork on the doors.
Departmental High School
Across the plaza is the old Departmental High School (Antiguo Colegio Departamental), which is currently in use as a primary school building.
Salt Museum (Permanently Closed)
The small Salt Museum (Museo de Sal) is located on a corner of the plaza. It’s free if you present a ticket to the salt mine. The museum contains some nicely made scenes depicting the town’s history and the history of salt production.
Old Railway Station
Walking north from the plaza, I came to the edge of town where the old railway station is located. Train service began passing through Nemocón from Bogotá on June 5, 1907. The town used to be a major stop on the rail lines until 1960.
For a short time, the railway station was being used as a cultural center but it has since closed. The building did look like it was undergoing a much needed restoration when I passed by.
Wandering Through Nemocón
Walking around town, I was able to spot lots of beautiful colonial buildings. Many were nicely restored but others were in need of some work. One of them holds the Cultural Center (Casa de la Cultura).
One building of note is the birthplace of Colombian artist Ricardo Moros Urbina. It’s on the road to the salt mine and is currently being used as a school. The artist was born in the building on March 27, 1865. Next door is a high school for girls, Our Lady of Good Success (Nuestra Señora de el Buen Suceso).
Mirador de la Virgen
Finally, on the west end of town is a path up to a statue of the Virgin. It’s called the Mirador de la Virgen. I didn’t walk up.
