The Travertine

Travertine is a sedimentary rock. It is a natural chemical precipitate of carbonate minerals from solution in the gorundwater.
Water passes through and dissolves limestone, picking up calcium carbonate. Upon a change in temperature, the water releases its carbon dioxide as a gas and the remaining calcium carbonate recrystallizes. Biotic material such as algae then becomes encrusted with the calcium carbonate, creating the hard rock.

Blocco di travertino
Ingrandisce foto Travertine of Tivoli

The stone, with a light-colored (mostly white) or, occasionally, with a variety of colors from grey to coral-red, is characterised by pitted holes and troughs on its surface that are sometimes filled and polished depending on the requirements of the finished stone.
Thanks to this porosity the stone has several qualities: a low thermal conductivity, a good sound insulation and easy cutting.

The ancient name for the stone was lapis tiburtinus (from the Latin, reflecting the importance of this rock to Imperial Rome), meaning tibur stone (Tivoli was known as Tibur in ancient Roman times), which has been corrupted to travertine.
The better quality of travertine came from the quarries of Tivoli where there are several extensive deposits.

Surroundings

  • The Sacro Speco

    An impressive complex of buildings which almost looks as if it is one with the surrounding rock...

To know more

  • Rocca Pia

    Built on the place where Callisto II Borgia's Castle was situated...

  • Church of St.Peter

    It was built on the rests of a roman villa...

Con il patrocinio del Comune di Tivoli, Assessorato al Turismo

Patrocinio Comune di Tivoli

Assessorato al Turismo