“Tende’s green schist” played an important role in the history of the Roya’s architecture. This pelite presents shades ranging from celadon green to darker gray-green, even gray, and interspersed with scattered ochreous venules. Its natural patina is satin.
The compact veins, described as Green Marble or Green of the Levant or Vert de la Roya, have been carved and carved as columns, capitals, frames of bays, fountains, monuments, various decorations, pavements and steps.
The more schistose veins, easily disintegrating, provided roofing slate roofing.
The churches, the official buildings, the monuments and the bourgeois houses of the five communes of the French Roya, and beyond Turin, present the evolution of the decorations realized in this rock, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
Tende’s green schist is notably visible on the Collegiate ND Assumption in Tende:
Decorations on the facade: pilasters (large to medium cut blocks); cornices under roof and friezes; framing and carved decorations of bays and portals; stair steps going up to the nave.
Roof covering: large rustic slates.
Interior decorations: floor tiles and steps; columns (bases, drums and capitals); arcatures and cornices; St John’s clam (dated 1604)
The quarry’s operation ceased during the twentieth century.