The educated elite of the 16th century enthusiastically embraced the revival of classical architecture as examined and described most notably in the theoretical writings of the great Vicenza architect Andrea Palladio (1508-1580). This enthusiasm is reflected as well in significant architectural works in northern Europe. One thought in particular, adapted by Palladio from Ten Books on Architecture, written by Vitruvius, the famous architect and technician of the court of Emperor Augustus, is repeated again and again in his writings - that architecture should imitate the laws of nature. For Palladio and the progressive spirits of his time, this was tantamount to liberation from the labyrinth of "ancient" building styles, from Romantic and Gothic principles . On the basis of numerous plans, model drawings and views illustrated, many of them in colour, in this volume, the most prominent Palladian scholars of our time investigate Palladio's influence on the architects of London and Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Stockholm, Potsdam and Wörlitz, thus opening a new chapter in the history of research on Palladian classicism, a contribution bound to engage the enthusiasm of every student and lover of architecture.