Benkovac natural stone is attractive thinly bedded limestone excavated in the wider area of Benkovac, Croatia. All the quarries and deposits are located in the zone of Eocene layers. Raw material is excavated in the shape of thin slabs and because of its decorativity, platy texture, physical and mechanical properties it is traditionally used in building industry. Material requires minimal processing and it is applied in numerous stone constructions such as fences, roof tiles, paving and façade decoration etc. Today; this famous natural stone, is recognized as a special brand in Croatian stone industry and stone market. The objectives of thesis are: 1. determination of mineralogical, petrographical, physical, mechanical, technical and chemical properties of benkovac natural or building stone 2. determination of textural and petrographical features which have impact on stone properties 3. assignment of textural anisotropy in natural stone 4. observation of benkovac natural stone resistance to salt crystallization, frost and ageing due to thermal shock 5. linking mineralogical, petrographical, chemical, physical and mechanical properties of benkovac natural stone with its durability. Mineralogical and petrographical analyses were performed at Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering. Benkovac natural stone was characterized as laminated lithotype where grainy and micritic lithotype layers alter in macro scale. Benkovac natural stone can also occur in the form of grainy and micritic lithotype. The laminated lithotype alteration is the main commercially used variety of benkovac natural stone. Grainy and micritic lithotypes can be distinguished by color, mineral and chemical composition, by structural and textural characteristics and by the physical and mechanical properties. The properties of laminated lithotype depend on properties of grainy and micritic components, their position and proportion in the structure. X-ray diffraction confirmed calcite to be the dominant mineral present in all samples. Grainy lithotype consists of very well-sorted carbonate intraclasts and siliciclastic detritus, which is present in amount of less than 1 wt. %. Intraclasts and detritus are bound by coarsely crystalline sparicalcite cement. During the diagenesis of grainy lithotype a primary recrystallization of carbonate matrix, sparitic cementation, dolomitization and dedolomitization appeared. Micritic lithotype is characterized by dense homogeneous micritic structure with signs of recrystallization and bioturbation. The micritic lithotype samples are free of dolomite and contain small quantities of clay minerals such as smectite, kaolinite and intercalated chlorite-vermiculite. In order to describe visual heterogeneity and textural anisotropy of stone the textural characteristics and petrographic properties were studied. The laminated lithotype is characteristic by profoundly heterogenic structure. The boundaries between two laminas are sharp and uneven and discontinuities (microcracks) are observed. Textural anisotropy (lamination), micropores, microcracs, and alteration by diagenetic processes directly influence density, porosity, water absorption, uniaxial compressive strength, flexural strength, sound speed propagation as well as durability to salt crystallization, frost and ageing by thermal shock. Stone samples were selected for physical, mechanical, technical and durability testing after macroscopic and microscopic analysis. Testing took part at IGH d.d. Stone samples were treated according to Croatian and European standards in order to determine: − real and apparent density − total and open porosity − water absorption at atmospheric pressure − water absorption by capillarity action − water desorption − uniaxial compressive strength − flexural strength − sound speed propagation − abrasion and slip resistance. Testing was carried on each lithotype. Deviation from standard procedure was introduced by desorption at atmospheric conditions after capillary absorption tests. The deviation is noted in the thesis. Results were statistically elaborated and interpreted. Durability and physical degradation of benkovac natural stone were tested in respect to salt crystallization, frost and ageing by thermal shock. After the testing, the uniaxial compressive strength and ultrasound speed propagation were measured in order to detect possible degradation of stone. The ultrasound method (propagation of ultrasound waves through samples) is nondestructive method for prediction of stone properties such as textural anisotropy index. Properties and durability of all three lithotypes of stone were determined. Micritic and grainy lithotypes are resistant to all tested weathering processes. The laminated lithotype is sensitive to salt crystallization. Visual inspection revealed that five of twelve samples were crumbled before the end of salt crystallization test. The impact of freezing cycles was milder, only one sample of laminated lithotype showed delamination along an existent fracture. Benkovac platy stone samples show considerable textural anisotropy and discontinuity in the structure. Microcracks, pores, fractures or even a contact between two lithotypes influence mechanical properties and durability of stone greatly. The large area of pore space together with natural discontinuities (microcracks) enables the material to absorb liquid. Saturation in conjunction with crystallization lead to expansion in the structure of laminated lithotypes and ruptures along discontinuities appear.