Church of Santa Maria
The Church of Santa Maria in Foro Cassio, located along the ancient Via Cassia and an important stop on the Via Francigena, is one of the most fascinating and historically rich sites in the Vetralla area. It was built between the 11th and 12th centuries on the remains of a pre-existing Roman settlement, the ancient Forum Cassii, a rest station for travelers and pilgrims heading to Rome.
The Romanesque-style building features a simple local stone facade with a lintelled portal and a rose window. The interior, consisting of a single nave with a semicircular apse, preserves remains of medieval frescoes depicting the Virgin and saints. Surrounded by evocative Roman ruins and nestled in greenery, the church offers an atmosphere of profound spirituality and silence.
Today, Santa Maria in Foro Cassio is an unmissable destination for lovers of history, art, and ancient trails, serving as a symbol of the intersection between the Roman world, the Middle Ages, and pilgrimage.
Informazioni sul luogo
Located on the plain at km 68.7 of the S.S. Cassia, the church of S. Maria in Forcassi stands slightly above the road level, on the right when coming from Vetralla, enclosed by a wall and with a small clearing for parking vehicles.Modalità d'accesso
parking near the area of interest free entrance
Informazioni Utili
2 Aldo Moro Way, Vetralla
opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Map of Points of Interest
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Last update: 1 May 2026