Modern expressions of Italy’s sublime stone
By Jon Van Housen and Mariella Radaelli
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The Cave Bianche: A suggestive eco-design hotel that
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LuminosityItalia
Italy has long been renowned for its miracles in stone. From Roman amphitheaters and aqueducts to Michelangelo’s David, the people from this mountainous land have produced creations that made history.
The Latins converted the untamed into cultivated spaces, laying claim to new territories.“Urbem latericium invenit, marmoreal reliquit,” Emperor Augustus stated proudly, meaning that he found a Rome of bricks and left behind a city marble.
Stone is masterfully integrated into Italian culture, shown to perfection in the pietra d’Istria Orsera that provides 80 percent of the pavement and decor of Venice, including the Ponte dei Sospiri. But is not only the past that yields wonders of stonework.
Today a host of artists, architects and artisans continue to find expression in the native rock. Fully associated with masterpieces of sculpture and architecture, the Carrara quarries in Tuscany still produce the world’s most sought-after marble.
But there are other precious marbles and stone, such as the perlato and rosso of Sicily. The second-most important quarry center in Europe for abundance and variety is the Trapani region, where each type of marble has its own special features.
Italy has long been renowned for its miracles in stone. From Roman amphitheaters and aqueducts to Michelangelo’s David, the people from this mountainous land have produced creations that made history.
The Latins converted the untamed into cultivated spaces, laying claim to new territories.“Urbem latericium invenit, marmoreal reliquit,” Emperor Augustus stated proudly, meaning that he found a Rome of bricks and left behind a city marble.
Stone is masterfully integrated into Italian culture, shown to perfection in the pietra d’Istria Orsera that provides 80 percent of the pavement and decor of Venice, including the Ponte dei Sospiri. But is not only the past that yields wonders of stonework.
Today a host of artists, architects and artisans continue to find expression in the native rock. Fully associated with masterpieces of sculpture and architecture, the Carrara quarries in Tuscany still produce the world’s most sought-after marble.
But there are other precious marbles and stone, such as the perlato and rosso of Sicily. The second-most important quarry center in Europe for abundance and variety is the Trapani region, where each type of marble has its own special features.
Rest of the story here (pdf).
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