Portoro, also known as Nero Portoro or Portoro di Portovenere, is one of Italy’s most celebrated rare historic marbles, quarried around Portovenere, Palmaria and the Gulf of La Spezia in Liguria. Admired for its deep black ground and dramatic gold, honey and occasional white veining, it has long been known as the “black gold” of Portovenere. Although geologically a black limestone, Portoro has been used and traded for centuries as a luxury marble because of its exceptional polish, contrast and decorative authority. Its use reaches back to Roman times, particularly in the ancient city of Luni, before becoming widely used in Genoa during the Middle Ages and later in Renaissance and Baroque religious architecture across Italy. Historic references connect Portoro with important churches including San Pietro in Vincoli, San Paolo Fuori le Mura and San Giovanni Laterano, as well as grand European interiors from the 19th century onwards.

With its ancient Ligurian provenance, bold black-and-gold character and unmistakable architectural presence, Portoro is especially suited to luxury interiors, statement panels, bathrooms, bar tops, fireplace surrounds, furniture, decorative slabs and projects where rare marbles, historic provenance and dramatic material impact are essential.