Travertine or sinter is the name of a sedimentary rock partially biogenic origin, formed by deposits of calcium carbonate that is widely used as an ornamental stone in building, both exterior and interior. Many of the monuments and churches of ancient Rome are built with travertine.
In karst areas formed by limestone, it dissolves the rock and calcium carbonate filler, rationale for the formation of sinkholes and caves, but this mineral can be deposited later in various formations, including stalactites and stalagmites known . Under certain conditions, such as hot springs or waterfalls, these deposits form the travertine, a rock composed of calcite, aragonite and limonite parallel layers with small cavities, yellow and white, translucent and smooth and nice