Michelangelo's sculptures. The temples of ancient Greece. Interiors and palaces of the castles. The iconic Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe. When we approach the history of architecture and sculpture, it is inevitable that we speak of marble. The result of a chemical reaction in limestone when it has been exposed to high pressures and temperatures for thousands of years, this remarkable material is a metamorphic rock commonly found in areas where there has been volcanic activity. Its extraction, in itself, is already a spectacle.

The extraction process takes place in nature reserves located in large rocky mountains and is carried out by professional teams and activity-specific equipment. The first piece of rock extracted is called a bench or plank and is approximately 12 meters long x 6 m high x 1.80 wide. Smaller blocks, approximately 3m x 1.8m x 1.8m, are cut from it, which will then be sliced ​​into smaller thicknesses for making countertops, floors, coverings and other items. Although the mining of marble leaves a significant environmental impact, almost everything that is mined is ultimately used. Large pieces are used for larger, more expressive projects, while excess pieces can be used in formulating pavers or for making granite and mosaics. Even marble powder can be used to increase the physical properties of structural blocks.

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With its characteristic veins and many potential shades including white, gray, pink, green and black, marble continues to impress and is used in civil construction for interior coverings, floors, benches and some facades. Its aesthetic importance has reached such a level that certain porcelain patterns and other materials that seek to imitate the design of marble are very popular .