The Prun Stone: A Natural Treasure of Lessinia

Prun Stone, also known as Lessinia Stone, is a natural material of great historical value from the Province of Verona. This precious material, known locally as ‘lastame’, is extracted from the lower layers of the Scaglia rossa veneta, a geological formation dating back to the Upper Cretaceous, between 95 and 70 million years ago.

Geological and Mining Characteristics

The rock strata of the Prun Stone have a total thickness of about 6.5-7 metres and are made up of 72 stratified layers, with thicknesses varying between 2.5 and 25 cm. The particular structure of these marly limestones, which are whitish-red in colour and nodular, is made unique by the presence of a thin veil of clay between the layers, which facilitates their detachment into slabs.

Historical Use and Diffusion

Thanks to its strength and durability, Prun Stone has been used since prehistoric times in the rural areas north of Verona. Its trade has spread over time to numerous cities in northern Italy. Verona, in particular, offers a veritable permanent exhibition of this material: it can be found in the Arena, the symbol of the city, and in the paving of the main squares and pavements of Verona.

In the historic villages of the upper Valpolicella, Prun Stone is still used to cover dwellings, creating a unique architectural landscape in perfect harmony with the natural landscape.
Also in Valpolicella it is present in all the historic villas and we can also say in almost all the historic buildings in the city of Verona and Lake Garda

Versatility and Sustainability

Thanks to its technical characteristics, Lessinia stone is suitable for a variety of uses both indoors and outdoors. Its soft pink colour blends perfectly with classic and modern architectural styles, offering a refined and never banal chromatic harmony.