Evolution in the use of natural building stone in Madrid, Spain.

Many types of stone have been used in construction in Madrid, with their use in historical times determined by the proximity of resources, the ease of quarrying and transport links to the city. With more recent improvements in transport connections and quarrying techniques, quality and durability have become key factors in building stone selection. Local flint was intensively used from the 9th to the 11th centuries when it was replaced by Reduena dolostone which was used until the 17th century. Granitic rocks from the Guadarrama mountain range, which crop out in the northern and western areas of the province, were increasingly used from the 16th century. The stone was traditionally known as Berroquena stone and was quarried in a number of areas, with the main supply from Zarzalejo. The granite used from the 18th century was mainly quarried in the Alpedrete area. Advances in underground quarrying made it possible to extract limestone, known as Colmenar stone, in the south-eastern part of the region. This limestone, together with Berroquena stone, became one of the city’s traditional building stones due to their excellent petrophysical properties and durability and are still in use today.
Many types of stone have been used in construction in Madrid, with their use in historical times determined by the proximity of resources, the ease of quarrying and transport links to the city. With more recent improvements in transport connections and quarrying techniques, quality and durability have become key factors in building stone selection. Local flint was intensively used from the 9th to the 11th centuries when it was replaced by Reduena dolostone which was used until the 17th century. Granitic rocks from the Guadarrama mountain range, which crop out in the northern and western areas of the province, were increasingly used from the 16th century. The stone was traditionally known as Berroquena stone and was quarried in a number of areas, with the main supply from Zarzalejo. The granite used from the 18th century was mainly quarried in the Alpedrete area. Advances in underground quarrying made it possible to extract limestone, known as Colmenar stone, in the south-eastern part of the region. This limestone, together with Berroquena stone, became one of the city’s traditional building stones due to their excellent petrophysical properties and durability and are still in use today.