Vetralla, whose name is believed to derive from the Latin Vetus Aula (Old City), is located on the western slope of the Cimini mountains, close to the Lake Vico.
Immersed in the countryside around Viterbo, Vetralla is populated by ancient forests in which the famous porcini mushrooms can be collected. Expanses of olive groves, the area offer a high quality extra virgin olive oil, celebrated every year in the oil Festival.
The city, located near to Via Cassia, it was once inhabited by the Etruscans who suffered numerous invasions and looting by the Romans, including those that took place between 1110 and 1134 from Viterbo. That is why in medieval times massive walls were built to protect the city.
The settlement was gradually abandoned in Roman times in favor of the nearby Forum Cassii. In the seventh and eighth centuries, following the barbarian invasions, even this center began to lose population.
Thus what would become the current Vetralla was founded: a small settlement built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the San Antonio Valley.
By the first half of the VIII century Vetralla became part of the patrimony of St. Peter.
In later centuries, Vetralla was subject to the dominion of different gentlemen, including the Orsini, the Di Vico, Anguillara and the Farnese, to whom we owe the construction of some buildings in the city, including the Castle.
After the domination of these families the town became a possession of the Apostolic Chamber, but it had a not entirely idyllic relationship with the Papal States.
At the end of 700 and for the next century, Vetralla saw the presence on its territory of French, Austrians and Russians.
It was then involved in the Italian Renaissnace, until the capture of Rome in 1870.