Medieval Italian urban legislation is well documented. It represents a rich and hitherto inadequately exploited source for studies in the history of art and the history of law. The documents that have come down to us not only provide information on the layout and design of squares, monuments, churches, and fortifications, but also indicate the aesthetic concerns of the authorities involved and their visions of the bellezza della città. The volume is a record of the proceedings of an interdisciplinary symposium that took place at the Villa Vigoni on Lake Como, 20-23 September 2001.