I will discuss the state-of-the-art regarding the progenitor systems and
explosion mechanisms of Type Ia SNe, highlighting the strengths and
shortcomings in our present theoretical understanding of these objects.
I will then introduce several important properties of Type Ia Supernova
Remnants that have the potential to make a significant contribution to
these open issues. From the point of view of the explosion mechanisms,
the X-ray spectra of SNRs offer the unique possibility to study the
spatially resolved structure of the SN ejecta. From the point of view of
the progenitors, SNRs offer the key link between the explosions, their
immediate surroundings, and the stellar populations that gave birth to
the progenitors.
