Limestone from Morata de Tajuña, Community of Madrid (Spain): used as a traditional building stone in the city of Madrid in the early 20th century

Abstract

Based on the study of the limestone used in an emblematic building in Madrid, this analysis explores the factors that favoured the use of this limestone which was scarcely known in the city until the early twentieth century. This local stone was extracted from the Cornicabra quarry at Valhondo, near Morata de Tajuña in the Spanish province of the Community of Madrid. The Morata de Tajuña limestone was a more economical option at the beginning of the century, due primarily to the favourable status of the quarries and existing communications with the capital city. In addition, its high quality and durability afforded the stone by its genesis and diagenesis made it highly suitable for use in water- and wear-resistant structural members. The prestige historically accorded the limestone quarried at Colmenar de Oreja, the tendency at the time to replace it with stones from other areas and the ephemeral use of Morata de Tajuña limestone in the city of Madrid, render its short-lived prevalence as a traditional building stone truly exceptional.