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Travertine

Travertine is a banded, compact variety of limestone formed along streams, particularly where there are waterfalls and around hot or cold springs. Calcium carbonate is deposited where evaporation of the water leaves a solution that is supersaturated with chemical constituents of calcite. Tufa, a porous or cellular variety of travertine, is found near waterfalls.

Rich deposits of aged, dried and hardened travertine have already been mined by the Romans. The rock typically remains quite porous with numerous cavities. The largest building in the world constructed largely of travertine is the Colosseum in Rome.

The stone is characterised by pitted holes and troughs in its surface. Although these troughs occur naturally, they suggest to some eyes that considerable wear and tear has occurred over many years. Some installers use a grout to fill these holes, whereas others leave them open — travertine can even be purchased "filled" or "unfilled." It can be effectively polished to a smooth, shiny finish and comes in a variety of colors from grey to coral-red.Travertine is one of the most frequently used stones in modern architecture, and is commonly seen as façade material, wall cladding, and flooring.

 

 

The Many Colors of Travertine