Noble palaces and universities, administration buildings and museums, monumental churches and theatres: the elegant Milan of the past and contemporary Milan find their favourite material in marble and stone.

On the occasion of the Fuorisalone, which will be held in Milan from 4 to 10 September 2021, Pietra Naturale Autentica and Domus recount the city's precious architecture with a journey through some of the most representative works of "Marble Architecture".

Set in the urban fabric, stone architectures create a unique bond with the place where they are installed. Marble has two fundamental characteristics: it cannot be reproduced and it is territorial. It is a material extracted from a precise place, which has followed its own particular history. This is why the tale of architecture is part of a broader narrative, which generally concerns Made in Italy and Italian material culture.

Marble derives its name from the Greek word marmaros, meaning 'shining stone'. Used since ancient times in sculpture and architecture, it is considered the noble stone par excellence. It is an inimitable material, produced by nature over millions of years, characterised by its infinite textures, colours and veining, but also by the strength and durability of stone.

This is why the great architects of yesterday and today see in the uniqueness of the material the perfect witness to consign the uniqueness of the design idea to history.

In Milan, this spirit has penetrated people's daily lives, pervading public and private spaces. It has made the city the combination of tradition and innovation that it is today. The places in Milan reflect the character of the city which, not by chance, is the centre of the world for design, fashion and food.

Cover image: Milan Cathedral. Photo Alessandro Benetti