Like the other members of the family, travertine is a single-element sedimentary rock. what is typically different is that it is formed by the precipitation of calcium carbonate from fresh water at hot springs or in limestone caves, with at least 90% of its constituent elements being calcite or aragonite. The remainder is composed mainly of other carbonate minerals, quartz or chert, clay and organic matter. It is a relatively brittle, rigid, firm and ductile rock. Limestones of various ages occur in many places at the surface in the mountainous areas of Hungary, and their subsurface distribution is even more significant.

As travertine has a long lifespan (just referring back to our article on limestone), you should also consider long-term investment when planning. In terms of its design and surface finish, travertine tiles are non-slip, which means they can be used safely in wet rooms (bathrooms, swimming pools, etc.), or even as an indoor tile or kitchen countertop thanks to their polishing. It requires little maintenance and is more affordable in the long run, as you will probably never have to spend on new tiles again.

Among the limestones used in architecture, the most common and well-known are: the limestone of Salskút, Fertőrákos near Lake Fertő, Budakalász and Süttői. The flesh-coloured limestone from the Tardos quarry is also known as “Hungarian marble”. We also use Turkish limestone, which has the same quality and properties as the Süttői stone.