Limestone is a very long historical and commen used material in construction and architecture. Especially in Europe and North America. For example, the Great Pyramid (one of the seven wonders in the world), is constructed with limestone. In the Kingston, Canada, so many buildings are constructed with it that the city is nicknamed "Limestone City". On the island of Malta, a variety of limestone called Globigerina limestone was for a long time the only building material available, and is still very frequently used on all types of buildings and sculptures. Limestone is readily available and relatively easy to cut into blocks or more elaborate carving. It is also long-lasting and stands up well to exposure. However, it is a very heavy material, making it impractical for tall buildings, and relatively expensive as a building material.

The Great Pyramid of Giza, One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is also made entirely from limestone.

A limestone plate with a negative map of Moosburg in Bavaria is prepared for a lithography printLimestone was most popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many buildings, like train stations, banks and other structures from that era are normally made of limestone. Limestone is used as a facade on some skyscrapers, but only in thin plates for covering rather than solid blocks. In the United States, Indiana, especially the Bloomington area, has long been a source of high quality quarried limestone, called Indiana limestone.

Limestone and marble are reactive to acid solutions, making acid rain a significant problem to the preservation of artifacts made from these stones. Many limestone statues and building surfaces have suffered severe damage due to acid rain. Acid-based cleaning chemicals can also etch limestone, which should only be cleaned with a neutral or mild alkaline-based cleaner.

Why limestone is so popular? Compared with other stone products, limestone is one of the most environmental friendly roducts. It has the advantage of odorless, non-toxic, non-radioactive and many other features. So it is widely used in square paving, road paving and wall cladding projects. In area of architecture, it has been carved into many types of vases, anymals, people, etc. Also, many more other sculpture, column and European carvings.