The Landi are an ancient Italian noble family, of Emilian origin, which stands out between the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the modern age for the political importance reached: in fact, they succeed in obtaining the degree of sovereign principles, dependent directly from the Holy Roman Emperor.
The origins of the family are obscure, but it seems certain that they must be researched in the city of Piacenza. In the twelfth century, there are already several "families" of Landi, of which we are not able today to reconstruct any links. Many Landi hold public offices both in Piacenza and in other cities, while the various "families" Landi, or the various branches of the family, appear endowed with conspicuous riches, probably due to banking activities.
As for the lineage that will later reveal greater fortune, we can cite, in the thirteenth century, a Guglielmo I, who we find as podestà of Vicenza and Milan, while his son Giannone becomes podestà of Vercelli. Giannone, in turn, is the father of William II and Ubertino (or Umberto). By intervention of these, and other relatives, the family, during the XIII century, became the master of important territories and castles along the Ligurian-Emilian Apennines, in particular Bardi, Compiano and Borgo Val di Taro.