Have you ever looked around at your pool or entertaining area and wondered where the gorgeous travertine pavers came from? Whilst it is such a durable and attractive stone, a lot of homeowners find that they know little to nothing about its origins. Travertine can be found in deposits across the world, from the United States of America all the way to Europe.
In the USA, the most common travertine deposit is located in the Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. There are also plenty of formations found in the states of Oklahoma and Texas.
In Croatia, travertine has built up over time to form 16 massive natural dams in a single valley (known as Plitvice Lakes National Park).
Central Europe is home to most of the travertine deposits in the world. When talking about Central Europe, the countries being referred to are: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Poland, Slovakia, Solvenia and Switzerland. The deposits found here are generally located in alpine valleys.
If you live in Australia, however, it is likely that the travertine found in your home has been sourced from the European countries of Italy and Turkey. Both these countries contain some of the most sought after travertine deposits in the world, making it a popular export. The Pamukkale deposit in Turkey is now listed as a World Heritage Site, whilst the Tivoli and Guidonia Montecelio deposits in Italy are known for their historic value. Famous artists, such as Michelangelo, have used travertine from the latter quarry.
Regardless of where your travertine has been sourced from, there can be no denying its attractiveness and versatility. Next time you plan on using travertine in your home, find out what part of the world it hails from and hold a little piece of your own history.