BROCCATELLE MARBLE

Geological Origin and Nomenclature

Spanish Brocatelle Marble was quarried from the Tortosa region of Spain during the Roman Empire between the 1st century BC and the 4th century AD. Classified as a ‘Fossiliferous Limestone,’ it is a visually striking stone with characteristic rudist fossils from the Upper Cretaceous geological period. Italian stonemasons named it ‘Broccatello’ because it resembled the pattern of brocade fabric.

Use in Ottoman Periods

This natural stone became especially popular in the 16th century. During the 17th century, Ottoman architects employed it as cladding stone on the exterior walls of the Revan Pavilion in Topkapı Palace and in the 18th as decorative stone in the minbar of Laleli Mosque.