ROMA

Speranza

Apart from the historical stages of ROMA's townscape, a further element of diversity is the varied building materials.

BRICKS made from the lacustrine sediments of the TEVERE valley have always been the material for the humble dwellings.

TUFFS, ugly and weathering badly, are seen on the older buildings; GREYISH from the Mamertine, yellowish-grey from Grotta Oscura, near Velti; BROWN from Monte Verde.

A harder tuff, the 'peperino', is found on more recent buildings.

TRAVERTINE from TIVOLI, pozzolana, a local volcanic sand, add further variety, while the decorative marbles reflect the great periods of Rome's expansion.

'A city set on a hill cannot be hid' is certainly true of Rome, one of man's finest creations in the Mediterranean world.