Chitarra Italiana (Italian: [kiˈtarra itaˈljaːna]; 'Italian guitar') is a lute-shaped plucked instrument with 4 or 5 single (sometimes double) strings, in a tuning similar to that of the guitar. It was common in Italy during the Renaissance Era. According to Renato Meucci, the designation of 'Italiana' followed the introduction to Italy of the flat-backed development of the instrument - referred to as chitarra alla spagnola (literally 'Spanish guitar'); to distinguish between the two versions. It is believed to have descended from Panduras, the Mediterranean lutes of Antiquity, and to be related to north African Quitra (or Kitra).