Belgian marble
Belgian marble is the name given to limestone extracted in Wallonia, southern Belgium.
It is quarried around the cities of Namur, Dinant, Tournai, Basecles, Theux, and Mazy/Golzinne. [1]
Description[]
The rock is actually not a true marble (a metamorphic rock), but a type of limestone (a calcareous sedimentary rock).
Belgian marbles are available in solid dark greys or blacks; and in polychroms of red, grey, and/or pink. [2] After polishing slabs with several colors exhibit natural decorative patterns.
Named selections[]
Named Belgian marbles include:
- Rouge Belge: including Rouge de Rance, Rouge Royal.
- Noir Belge: including Noir de Golzinne, Noir de Mazy.
History[]
Belgian marble has been quarried, cut, and finished as a building stone, stone cladding, and stone veneer since the Ancient Roman era, in Roman Gaul and Rome, such as in the Basilica of Junius Bassus.[1] It has been used in important European religious and secular buildings since the Renaissance, including the Palazzo Pitti and Palace of Versailles. [1]
See also[]
References[]
 | This geology article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by . |
- Belgian marble
- Limestone
- Building stone
- Geology of Belgium
- Wallonia
- Geology stubs