Properties of the Stone
Quarry Site
Bilecik Gülümbe Rose Marble, quarried near the village of Gülümbe, Bilecik, is often referred to as a marble, although it is actually a Jurassic limestone. The stone is commonly found together with other beige-colored limestones of the same type and age in the region.
Technical Specifications and Usage Areas
The stone is distinguished by its range of colors from dark pink to various shades of rose.
Historically, Bilecik Gülümbe Rose Marble was used almost exclusively within the Anatolian region and did not see trade beyond this area. While suitable for flooring, it is not as abrasion-resistant as harder stones. Although it can be polished, it does not maintain its polish outdoors. Additionally, the stone is sensitive to acids and is not frost resistant.
Notable uses of this limestone include the mihrab of Hagia Sophia and the arch and architraves of the door to the Revan Pavilion in Topkapı Palace.
Buildings using this stone