Saturnia Travertini Italia – Our History

The Year 1950

The Poggio Crostoli quarry was opened in 1956, when specialists from the Ente Maremma discovered extensive travertine deposits between the medieval villages of Montemerano and Saturnia, in southern Tuscany, close to the renowned hot springs of Terme di Saturnia.

Three entrepreneurs joined forces to start extraction, and from the beginning they showed strong foresight by building a fully equipped stone-processing facility directly on site. This forward-thinking approach still sets this quarry apart from many others today.

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

The Year 1960

During a period of strong economic growth in Italy, the quarry steadily expanded to meet the rising demand for raw material. At its peak, it employed around 150 workers, firmly establishing its place in the region’s industrial history.

Substantial investments in both the quarry and the processing facility transformed it into a modern, benchmark operation that quickly began to extend beyond the domestic market. The exceptional quality and aesthetic appeal of the travertine helped it gain popularity across the French Riviera, the Tyrrhenian Coast, in Germany, and even in more distant international markets.

The Year 1970

The quarry changed ownership several times over the years. It first came under the control of the state-owned company AMMI, and was later acquired by IMEG, which at the time was one of the world’s leading producers of Carrara marble. These transitions provided the resources and infrastructure needed to support further international expansion.

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

The Year 1980

Another period of strong growth enabled the quarry to expand into new luxury markets in South America and Africa, while further strengthening its position across Europe. At the time, Italian stone was virtually unmatched, dominating the natural stone industry with its quality and reputation.

However, over the years, a combination of management mistakes and shifting market conditions forced the company to scale back operations and significantly reduce its workforce.

The Year 1990

Job losses had a significant impact on the local community, and the future of the quarry became uncertain, even though it continued to produce highly valued natural stone.

Interestingly, it was during this challenging period that some of its most prestigious projects were completed, including the Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, the Pasadena Tower in the United States, the Palace of the German Community in Munich, and the 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 the year 2000, operations were temporarily suspended. However, the outstanding quality of the extracted stone convinced new management to revive the site and resume production.

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

The global financial crisis of 2008 (2008 financial crisis) had a severe impact on the business. The workforce was significantly reduced, part of the machinery was sold off, and production levels dropped sharply, once again casting uncertainty over the quarry’s future.

The Year 2026

Through modern solutions and significant investment, Saturnia Travertini Italia srl is working to restore the former glory of the Cava di Montemerano. This approach combines contemporary management practices with a centuries-old tradition of stone extraction.

The company is not only rebuilding the quarry’s position in the market but is also actively working to reduce its environmental impact. Aware of the quarry’s importance to the local community, it is gradually restoring employment opportunities and maintaining close cooperation with local authorities.

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