Bohemian Cretaceous Basin extends over 15,000 km2 and makes the largest sedimentary unit of the Bohemian Massif (Czech Republic). Its lithology is characterized by prevalent clastic sedimentary units but more shallow parts of the sedimentary basin were filled by mudstones and carbonate rocks. Fine-grained rocks of aleuropelitic character and variable mineralogical composition in which silica (mostly less crystalline forms like CTopal, tridymite etc., but also clastic quartz), carbonate (calcite locally enriched in magnesium) and clay minerals (illite, kaolinite and glauconite) prevail can be classified in the range from clayey-calcareous silicites to siliceous-clayey micritic limestones.
Traditionally, these rocks have been used as a common building stone but also as sculptural stone. Along these traditional uses, recent investigations show that some varieties of silicites are also employed as raw material for hydraulic lime binders burning. This paper discusses properties of these traditional stones and possibilities for determining their source locality. Their durability is discussed based on the thorough analysis of physical and mechanical properties and on the experience with their long-term behaviour in outdoor exposures.