Dimension and ornamental stones from the Tosco-Romagnolo and Bolognese Apennine

Abstract

The hilly territory of the eastern Emilia-Romagna up to the Apennine watershed, also comprising part of the Romagna Toscana, represents in Italy the main sandstones producer, along with the Pietra Serena of Firenzuola and Marradi and the Pietra Serena from the Savio valley. Minor districts, not less important for the local economy are also present, such as those exploiting the selenitic gypsum of Brisighella, Borgo Rivola, Borgo Tossignano, Bologna and the «Crystalline Alabaster» of Torriana, the San Marino calcarenites, the Montefeltro limestone and the Montovolo and Castel d'Aiano sandstones. We should not forget the historical-cultural heritage constituted by the now dismissed quarries of the Varignana, Sasso Marconi, Monghidoro, Castiglione dei Pepoli and Porretta sandstones, employed since the Villanovian, Etruscan, Roman, Medieval and Renaissance ages; as well as unique materials, locally employed, such as the Montecodruzzo limestone, the Spungone calcarenite, the Labante travertine, the euphotide gabbro and the Mantesca and San Zanobi serpentinites. The aim of the authors is to give in this work some historical elements of knowledge on dimension and ornamental stones and not to put forward a research work regarding the geology and stratigraphy of the area.