Limestone

Botticino

Botticino is one of the classic Italian dimension limestones — a Jurassic limestone from Botticino near Brescia in Lombardy, with a warm cream-beige ground tone and fine veining. Used in European architecture for centuries, polishable and with a strong technical profile.

Limestone Italy Frostbeständig 2.692 kg/m³

Available as: Slabs, Skirting, Tiles and flooring slabs · 2 of 70 reserved

Check the live stock Request an appointment

About Botticino

Botticino is one of the most famous Italian dimension limestone families. Its ground tone moves between warm cream-beige and quiet ivory, crossed by subtle vein lines and fine lighter accents. The slab appearance remains restrained and legible for the designer — no dramatic movement, but a calm, atmospheric brightness that gives rooms warmth and Mediterranean elegance. It is precisely this quietness that has made Botticino the first choice for centuries for classic Italian architecture, prestige wall claddings, floor areas, stairs, bathrooms and facades.

Geologically, Botticino is a Jurassic limestone from the quarries around the municipality of Botticino near Brescia in Lombardy (northern Italy). The region has produced the stone since antiquity — Botticino marble was used in the Vittoriano (Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II) in Rome, in numerous castles, palaces and churches in Italy and throughout Europe. Within the Botticino family, several selections are distinguished: Botticino Classico (the most common and technically best variant), Botticino Semiclassico (with a somewhat different textural character), Botticino Fiorito (with a flower-like pattern) and Botticino Rose (with a pink cast). The Chinese market lists the material under the names 旧米黄 (Jiù Mǐhuáng) for Classico and 半旧米黄 (Bàn Jiù Mǐhuáng) for Semiclassico.

Technically, Botticino Classico shows exceptionally strong values: bulk density 2,680 kg/m³, compressive strength 216 MPa (very high for a limestone), compressive strength after frost 208 MPa, flexural strength 6 MPa, water absorption only 0.17 %, thermal expansion 0.44 mm/m/100K. The high compressive strength after frost and the low water absorption make the material technically load-bearing for internal and external applications, facades and heavily frequented floor areas. Chemically the stone remains acid-sensitive (it is a carbonate limestone): wine, lemon juice, vinegar or acidic bathroom cleaners leave etch marks on the material surface.

ROSSITTIS carries Botticino as a raw slab for wall claddings and vanity tops, as tiles for floor and wall surfaces, as treads and risers, window sills, skirtings, paving setts, facade cladding and for project-specific cutting. The finishes currently available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down this page — the polished variant emphasises the warm depth and the fine veins most strongly and is the first choice for prestige interiors and bathrooms; the satin-honed and tumbled variants show the material in a matt, everyday-tolerant character.

Compared with other Italian dimension limestones such as Trani Bronzetto or Serpeggiante, Botticino brings its characteristically calm ground tone with its hint of ivory — not an expressive play of veins, but a timelessly elegant brightness. Against Portuguese dimension limestones such as Mocca Creme or Moleanos, Botticino shows markedly higher technical values, with 216 MPa compressive strength and 0.17 % water absorption. One important point: genuine Italian Botticino from Brescia differs in quality from the Botticino imitations from Pakistan, Turkey, Cuba or Peru that are marketed under the same name.

Technical data

Guide values for the stone type, taken from manufacturer and test reports. Natural stone is a natural product — individual batches and slabs can differ. For critical applications, request slab-specific test data.

Rohdichte 2.692 kg/m³

Druckfestigkeit 150,1 MPa

Biegezugfestigkeit 13,7 MPa

Wasseraufnahme 0,42 %

Frostbeständig Ja

Säurebeständig Nein

Suitability by application

Suitable with limitations

Küche & Arbeitsplatten △ Limited

Finishes

Botticino is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.

Poliert

Politur ist die klassischste Veredelung für Marmor und Kalkstein — eine glänzende Oberfläche mit höchstmöglicher Farbintensität und ausgeprägter Tiefenwirkung der Aderung. Je nach mineralischer Zusammensetzung kann die Wirkung stellenweise mattglänzend sein. Säureempfindlich — Wein, Zitrone und Essig hinterlassen Ätzspuren bei längerer Einwirkung.

Satiniert

Die Oberfläche wird gebürstet — weichere Minerale werden gezielt entfernt, es entsteht eine subtile Tiefe und mattes Erscheinungsbild. Besonders geaderte Kalksteine erhalten so eine charaktervolle Optik und Haptik. Die mattere Veredelung kaschiert kleine Ätzungen besser als poliert und ist alltagstauglicher für stark beanspruchte Innenflächen.

Getrommelt

Durch Reibung mit Gesteinszugaben und Wasser in einer rotierenden Trommel entsteht eine matte Oberfläche mit leicht angebrochenen Kanten und satinähnlicher Haptik. Wirkt natürlich gealtert. Geeignet ausschließlich für Wand- und Bodenfliesen, nicht für Rohplatten — Standardwahl für mediterrane und antikisierte Gestaltungskonzepte.

Care & fabrication

Botticino is an acid-sensitive carbonate limestone. Wine, lemon juice, vinegar, cola, bathroom cleaners or descalers leave etch marks on the material surface — visible as matt shadows or a loss of gloss.

For all applications, sealing on a silane or polysiloxane basis is mandatory. It prevents water, oil and dyes from penetrating and reduces staining — but it does not remove the acid sensitivity. We recommend refreshing the sealer every 1-2 years, more often on heavily used floor areas.

Routine care is with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft microfibre cloth or mop. Avoid vinegar cleaners, cement haze removers, acidic bathroom cleaners and strongly alkaline products. Wine, coffee, oil, lemon juice or cosmetic products should not be left standing on the surface for long.

For kitchen worktops, Botticino is suitable only with reservations — acids from everyday cooking can leave a visible patina. Its classic use is as wall cladding, floor tile, stairs and facade material. Anyone who wants the warm Italian material appearance in the kitchen should expect patina or choose a more care-friendly quartzite or granite alternative.

Outdoors, with a compressive strength after frost of 208 MPa and only 0.17 % water absorption, Botticino is very frost-proof and well proven for facades, paving and external walls. The finishes currently available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down this page.

Frequently asked questions

Is Botticino suitable for a kitchen?

With reservations. At 216 MPa compressive strength, Botticino is mechanically very load-bearing, but as an acid-sensitive limestone it remains markedly more demanding than granite or quartzite. Patina has to be accepted, and sealing and the immediate removal of acids are mandatory. Its classic use is as wall cladding, floor tile and facade. For carefree warm-toned kitchen worktops we recommend a quartzite or granite.

What finishes are available in Botticino?

The finishes currently available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block on this page.

What Botticino variants are there?

Within the Botticino family, several selections are distinguished: Botticino Classico (the most common and technically best variant, with fine veining), Botticino Semiclassico (with a somewhat different textural character), Botticino Fiorito (with a flower-like pattern) and Botticino Rose (with a pink cast). All come from the Botticino quarrying area near Brescia.

Where does Botticino come from?

Genuine Botticino comes from the quarries around the municipality of Botticino near Brescia in Lombardy (northern Italy). The stone has been quarried since antiquity and was used, among other places, in the Vittoriano in Rome. Botticino imitations from Pakistan, Turkey, Cuba and Peru are also offered on the international market — these differ technically and in quality from the Italian original.

How do I clean and care for Botticino?

Sealing is mandatory. Daily care with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a microfibre cloth or mop. Consistently avoid acidic cleaners, descalers, vinegar and citric acid. Wipe up wine, coffee or oil immediately.

Is Botticino frost-resistant and suitable for external use?

Yes, outstandingly so. With a compressive strength after frost of 208 MPa and only 0.17 % water absorption, Botticino Classico is exceptionally frost-proof and very well proven for facades, external paving and external walls. For external applications where slip resistance is required, a matt, textured finish makes more sense than a polish.

Botticino or Crema Marfil — which suits better?

Both are acid-sensitive pale dimension limestones with similar care requirements. Crema Marfil from Spain typically reads as warmer and creamier, with more pronounced veining. Botticino from Italy is lighter and calmer, with an ivory-white ground tone — and brings markedly higher technical load-bearing capacity (216 MPa compressive strength) and frost resistance. For a classic Italian character, Botticino; for warm Mediterranean rooms, Crema Marfil.