Travertine Quarry Company ,,Saturnia Travertini Italia" - Our History

The Year 1950

The Poggio Crostoli quarry was established in 1956, when specialists from the Ente Maremma organization discovered extensive travertine deposits between the medieval towns of Montemerano and Saturnia, in southern Tuscany, near the famous Terme di Saturnia hot springs.

Three entrepreneurs joined forces to begin extraction, demonstrating remarkable foresight by building a fully equipped stone processing facility directly on site. This solution continues to distinguish the quarry from many others to this day.

Initially operating under the name Montemerano srl, the site quickly became known as “Cava di Montemerano” and experienced dynamic growth, employing over one hundred people and becoming one of the key pillars of the local economy.

The Year 1960

During a period of dynamic economic growth in Italy, the quarry steadily expanded to meet the increasing demand for raw material. At its peak, employment reached around 150 workers, making it an integral part of the region’s history.

Significant investments in both the quarry and the production facility transformed it into a modern and exemplary enterprise, which quickly began to move beyond the domestic market. The high quality and unique aesthetics of the travertine made it popular in locations such as the French Riviera, the Tyrrhenian Coast, Germany, and even distant international markets.

The Year 1970

The quarry changed ownership several times—first becoming part of the state-owned company AMMI, and later being acquired by IMEG, which at the time was the world’s largest producer of Carrara marble. This provided the resources and infrastructure needed for further expansion into international markets.

Over time, the quarry gained international recognition, attracting prestigious clients such as the Sultan of Brunei and the President of Cameroon, who used this stone in projects including the construction of a presidential palace.

The Year 1980

Another period of prosperity allowed the quarry to expand into new luxury markets in South America and Africa, while further strengthening its strong position in Europe. During this time, Italian stone was virtually unmatched and dominated the natural materials market.

Over the years, however, management mistakes combined with changing market conditions forced the company to scale down operations and reduce employment.

The Year 1990

The loss of jobs had a strong impact on the local community, and the future of the quarry became uncertain, despite the continued extraction of valuable and highly regarded stone.

Interestingly, it was during this challenging period that some of the most prestigious projects were completed using this material, including Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Pasadena Tower in the United States, the Palace of the German Community in Munich, and King Faisal Hospital in Riyadh.

The Year 2000

The beginning of the new millennium proved to be a turbulent period for the quarry—shortly after 2000, operations were temporarily suspended. However, the high quality of the extracted stone led new management to revive the site and resume production.

In the following years, the quarry secured further prestigious projects, including works for the University of Copenhagen and the Bio Centre in Copenhagen. The material from this location was also used in exclusive villa developments around the world.

The 2008 financial crisis had a significant impact on the company. Employment was greatly reduced, some machinery was sold, and production declined noticeably, once again putting the future of the quarry into question.

The Year 2016

Thanks to modern solutions and significant investments, Saturnia Travertini Italia srl is restoring the former glory of the “Cava di Montemerano” quarry. A contemporary approach to management is combined here with centuries-old traditions of stone extraction.

The company is not only rebuilding the quarry’s position but also taking steps to reduce its environmental impact. Aware of the quarry’s importance to the local community, it is gradually restoring jobs and working closely with local authorities.

The exceptional aesthetics and quality of travertine, combined with the Stonecloud platform, an experienced management team, and the trust of the community, provide a solid foundation for the company to once again become a respected and reliable supplier of this timeless material.