Vetralla, Commune in Province of Viterbo, Italy
Vetralla sits on Monte Fogliano at about 300 meters elevation and spreads across rolling hills dotted with vineyards and olive groves. The area is crossed by the national road SS Cassia and has a railway station on the regional FR3 line.
The settlement served as a strategic outpost along the Via Cassia during Roman times, when it was known as Forum Cassii. In the medieval period, the community received significant forest lands through a papal grant that shaped its later growth.
The annual Sposalizio dell'albero ceremony reflects how the community honors its medieval ties to papal authority, keeping alive traditions rooted in land grants and territorial agreements from centuries past.
The location is well served by public transport, with the national road SS Cassia providing direct connections and the regional FR3 railway line offering regular services to Rome. Visitors should note that the hilly terrain is walkable, though comfortable shoes are recommended.
The town received unusual protection under the English Crown from Henry VIII in 1512, a remarkable event for an Italian commune far from English territories. Commemorative markers in the town hall still recall this rare historical connection.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
