Streets played a crucial role in communication during the late Middle Ages, serving not only as routes for traffic and transport but also as integral parts of public space with diverse functions and practices. They were subject to various judgments, evaluations, and norms, reflecting their significance in societal interactions. This multifaceted role is evidenced through a range of written records, religious and secular visual imagery, and surviving original artifacts. Comparative analysis is essential to understanding the street's social functions and its connections to representation, prestige, symbolic meanings, law, order, and religion. Additionally, the streets were involved in broader efforts for improvement and innovation during the period. Exploring these interconnections reveals the complex dynamics at play, highlighting how streets were more than mere thoroughfares; they were vital to the fabric of social life and cultural expression in the late Middle Ages.
