Nemocon, a small town 40 miles north east of Bogota, in the department of Cundinamarca, has been attracting visitors since the 16th century, and continues to do so.
Tourists should not miss the Nemocon Salt Mine which was designed by Roswell Garavito, who also designed the famous Salt Cathedral at Zipaquira. The mine is almost 200 feet deep and the visitor can take a guided tour along the path that runs through it, which is over one and a half miles long.
The Parque de los Siete Leyendas is another attraction, with a 100-year-old rubber tree and the waters of Diego Fallon Natural Font, which are said to have curative properties.
Tourists can also enjoy the Salt Museum, the beautiful Iglesia de San Francisco of Asis, and the hill of the Virgen del Carmen. The Virgen del Carmen is the patron saint of miners, drivers and police, who show their devotion during her festival in July. The Festival of the Dances is held in November.
The town originally developed because indigenous populations moved there to exploit the the salt spring that flowed from the mountain. The inhabitants collected the salt water in clay vessels and evaporated the liquid until they were left with the precious white stuff.
The process is still used today, but with cauldrons replacing the clay pots, and the salt is used in the restaurant trade and tourism industry.
The indigenous Zipas gave the town its name which means “cry of the warrior” because it was the there that they gathered to mourn their chiefs.
