This experimental study analyses the extent of chemo-mineralogical changes that occur when a building stone encounters a cycling isothermal treatment at 600 °C. Therefore, four carbonate and two silicate European building stones have been analysed in their fresh quarried and thermally treated conditions by means of colour measurements, in-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical microscopy. Furthermore, powdered samples have been characterised by Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy, simultaneous thermal analysis and cycling thermogravimetry (TG). In-situ XRD spectra reveal a surface limited phase transformation of solid calcite and dolomite at isothermal conditions during the first 10 min at 600 °C and 500 °C, respectively. The onset of thermal de-composition and extend of phase transformation is governed by the microstructure of the solid samples. Inter- and intragranular micro cracks are induced in varying degrees and their incidence depends likewise on the stone’s microstructure. Discolouration indicates a transformation of minor elements across the entire analysed sample volumes. Kaolinite is preserved even after three hours of thermal treatment at its dehydroxylation temperature due to its sheltering in confined pore spaces. Mass loss is more pronounced when cyclic treatment is employed as compared to a nonperiodic treatment, as determined by TG analysis performed at same time intervals.