Tivoli Quarries Provide Travertine for New Generation of Temples

The same quarries that built ancient Rome's landmarks continue to supply the distinctive stone for modern architectural projects around the world.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The travertine quarries near Tivoli, Italy that provided the stone for iconic Roman structures like the Colosseum and St. Peter's Basilica are still in operation today, supplying the distinctive pock-marked rock for a new generation of churches, temples, and other buildings worldwide. Architects prize the stone for its strength, durability, and variety of looks, and the quarries have fulfilled orders for projects as far-flung as the Getty Center in Los Angeles and the new headquarters of China's governing party in Shenzhen.

Why it matters

The continued use of travertine from the Tivoli quarries highlights the enduring legacy of ancient Roman architecture and the ability of traditional building materials to adapt to modern construction needs. The quarries' history stretches back thousands of years, providing a direct link to the classical world that architects and builders still value today.

The details

The travertine quarries near Tivoli, located 35 kilometers east of Rome, have been in operation for centuries. The stone is formed by deposits of calcium, sulfur, and other minerals, and shows the region's history of volcanic eruptions, forests, and fossils in its striated layers. Architects prize travertine for its strength, durability, and variety of looks, from rough to sleek, and warm white to sandy beige. The Mariotti Carlo SpA stonecutting firm has been carving travertine from the Tivoli quarries for four generations, fulfilling commissions for landmarks like the Getty Center, the Bank of China headquarters, and the Great Mosque in Algiers. The firm is now providing travertine for the reconstruction of a Latter-day Saint temple in New York City.

  • The Tivoli quarries provided the travertine for the Colosseum 2,000 years ago.
  • The quarries also supplied the stone for St. Peter's Basilica and Bernini's colonnade in the 17th century.
  • Today, the quarries are still actively mining travertine for new architectural projects around the world.

The players

Gian Lorenzo Bernini

The great Baroque sculptor and architect who sourced the travertine for the colonnade of St. Peter's Square, as well as his other Catholic and Roman marvels.

Mariotti Carlo SpA

A fourth-generation stonecutting firm that has been carving travertine from the Tivoli quarries to fulfill some of the world's most distinctive architectural commissions, including the Getty Center, the Bank of China headquarters, and the Great Mosque in Algiers.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Also known as the Mormon church, the organization that has commissioned Mariotti Carlo SpA to provide travertine for the reconstruction of a temple in New York City.

Vincenzo De Gennaro

The current head of the Degemar quarries, where Bernini sourced the travertine for the colonnade of St. Peter's Square.

Marco Ferrero

A professor of civil engineering at Rome's La Sapienza University who discusses the enduring appeal and unique qualities of Roman travertine.

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What they’re saying

“Travertine is a classic stone known all over the world. It's a bit like carrying the light of Rome everywhere, because the way travertine reflects light is very special.”

— Fabrizio Mariotti, Head of the Mariotti Carlo SpA stonecutting firm

“It is special, a special stone because it is a living stone, a stone that is born in a cocktail of mineral waters.”

— Vincenzo De Gennaro, Head of the Degemar quarries

“We can make this comparison: Marble speaks to us in beautiful Italian, in literary Italian, while travertine speaks to us in Roman dialect. It is truly the stone of the Romans. And like Roman cuisine, which is made up of simple dishes, often using discarded ingredients, travertine is a genuine and traditional stone.”

— Marco Ferrero, Professor of civil engineering, La Sapienza University

What’s next

The Latter-day Saint temple in New York City that is being rebuilt with travertine from the Tivoli quarries is expected to be completed and open to the public later this year.

The takeaway

The continued use of travertine from the ancient quarries of Tivoli, Italy demonstrates the enduring legacy of Roman architecture and the ability of traditional building materials to adapt to modern construction needs. The distinctive stone, with its unique history and visual qualities, remains a sought-after material for architects and builders around the world.