Vetralla is located both along the ancient Roman Via Cassia consular road and along the Via Francigena pilgrim’s road. Therefore, there are attractions from Etruscan and Roman times as well as from the medieval and Renaissance periods.
Top 10 tourist attractions Vetralla
01. Collegiata di Sant’Andrea Apostolo (Cathedral)
The Cathedral of Vetralla was built in 1711 by G.B. Contini. Consecration took place 10 years later. In the church, a number of works of art from the 17th and 18th centuries can be admired.
02. San Francesco Church
The Chiesa di San Francesco is the oldest church in Vetralla. It was built on the ruins of an earlier construction from the 7th century. The present appearance is the result of a 10th century reconstruction. Highlights are the portal, whatever remains of the cosmic floor and some frescoes. In the six-aisle crypt, wall paintings dating from the 12th to the 15th century can be seen.
03. Santa Maria in Forcassi Church
The Chiesa di Santa Maria in Forcassi was dedicated to Maria Santissima Annunziata in 1449 on the occasion of the Jubilee Year. Inside the church, frescoes from this period can still be seen. The church itself is much older and was rebuilt between the 11th and 12th centuries. The large aula ends in three apses. The former crypt cannot be visited.
04. Archaelogical Site Forum Cassii
Vetralla is situated along the ancient Via Cassia and a number of funerary monuments can be seen along this road. Most inhabitants of the settlement Foro Cassia (a tavern where travellers and their horses could rest) moved to Vetralla itself in the Middle Ages and materials from Roman times were used in the construction of the San Francesco Church. Towards the end of the Middle Ages, Foro Cassia became populated again.
05. Grotta Porcina Necropolis
The Grotta Porcina Necropolis is located at the point where the Via Clodia crosses the Fosso Grignano. The necropolis consists of a large number of communal tombs, a burial mound that can be climbed via a bridge, plus a large central area with a number of smaller burial chambers.
06. Regina Pacis Convent
The Monastero Regina Pacis is located along the Via Francigena in the borough of Cura di Vetralla. It was founded in 1575 by friars of the Capuchin Monastic Order and five years later the monastery was built. Today it is the seat of a Benedictine Order.
07. Museo del Territorio
The Museo del Territorio hosts exhibitions on the historical sites and crafts of the area. Open only on Saturday (16.00 to 19.00) and Sunday (10.30 to 13.00 and 16.00 to 19.00). Tel. +39 076453588.
08. Sant’Angelo Church
The Church of Sant’Angelo is located on a hill outside the borough of Cura. To get there, follow the signs to Tre Croci and, along a road lined with chapels, you will eventually reach the church and the convent.
09. Monumento ai Caduti
The Monument to the Victims of War is made by Pietro Canonica. Canonica was a 19th/20th century sculptor who has his own museum in the Villa Borghese in Rome.
10. Palazzo Comunale
The Palazzo Comunale is characterized by a bell gable with a clock. The facade was probably designed by Vignola.
More attractions Vetralla
Apart from the ones mentioned already, there are several churches in Vetralla. The most interesting ones are the San Pietro Church, the 15th century Santi Filippo e Giacomo Church, the Santa Maria Church (1695) and the San Giuseppe Church (1695).
The Palazzo Franciosoni features frescoes by Zuccari. It was designed by the workshop of Vignola.
The interiori of the Palazzo Piatti is likewise decorated with frescoes.
The Palazzo Vinci (also known as Palazzo Brugiotti Carpegna) was decorated by pupils of Vignola.