Presents several restoration case histories of Italian monumental buildings in a state of ruin. Some are in such a decayed state that they were earmarked for demolition like Palazzo Vallelongera in Torre del Greco and the church of San Pietro Martire in Naples; others, severely damaged by war bombings and earthquakes such as the churches of Santa Maria della Periclitanti and Sant'Andrea delle Dame in Naples. The restoration processes and the technical choices are described in detail.