The terrazzo is inextricably linked to the foundation and urban evolution of Venice whose homes, in continuous adjustment, recall the requirements of the stability and elasticity of the vessels. Its origins lie in ancient Greece and Rome, but it is not clear how they could concentrate and diffuse themselves in Friuli, in the early Christian and Byzantine era.
In the period between VII and XIII century the floors of the Venetian houses could be of “antinelle“, a particular kind of brisks, arranged in a herringbone pattern on the ground floor and the upper floors of wooden planks, larch and fir, covered with “cocciopesto“, (Opus signinum) with the surface “smeared ” with red, yellow or green lime. Around 1400 the terrace reaches a high degree of sophistication: marble, colored chips, mother of pearl embellish the surface. From “wooden town” Venice turns into “city of stone”.
The terrazzieri organize themselves in Schola rather late in 1586 and only in 1590 appear the first illustrations of the installation and working tools.
Between 1600 and 1700 the art spreads in Milan, Genoa, Bologna and new decorations and motifs are processed.
From 1800 up to now, the “Terrazzo alla Venziana” hasn’t changed much; materials and machinery have evolved, as well as the inclusion of glass, murrine and other precious items, but the procedures for implementation, the gestures of master terrazzieri, and the processing times have remainedalmost unchanged.