A small walled castle-town on a tufa spur north-east of Viterbo, the cause of the war between Rome and Viterbo.
In 1199 it threw off Viterbo's lordship and asked for Rome's help; Viterbo's levy besieged it, Rome declared war and the Roman host relieved it before an indecisive fight under Viterbo's walls. At the end of 1199 the war starts again; by Gregorovius and Luchaire the Romans rout the Viterbese on the road to Vitorchiano on 6 January 1200. It becomes Rome's fief at the peace (1201 on it.wikipedia); its later fame as Rome's 'most faithful' town (the Fedeli di Vitorchiano of the Capitol guard) is of 1267 and after.
Who holds it
- Name
- Its own townsmen, under Rome's protection since 1199
- Title
- Lord or governing body
- Since
- 1199
- Confidence
- medium
Lord in 1200
The men of Vitorchiano, who in 1199 declared themselves free of Viterbo and called on Rome; Rome has taken up their cause.
How things stand that morning
Held by its own men for Rome, relieved in 1199 but in the middle of the war zone (Vitorchiano war draws the fighting ground between it and Viterbo). Across the borders: Viterbo all round the west and south; the castles of the Teverina east towards the Tiber (holders not pinned).
Charter
Not found.
Militia
Its own men behind the walls.
Walls and castle
Walls on the cliff edge of its tufa spur.
Trade and crafts
Farming and peperino stone of the Cimini slopes.
What the year holds
What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.
- 6 January 1200 (Gregorovius, Luchaire) or early 1201 (Maleczek)The Romans rout the Viterbese on the road to Vitorchiano; at the peace (late 1200 or 1201) Viterbo gives Vitorchiano up to Rome.Depends on: Rome keeping up the war Stopped by: Vitorchiano falling to Viterbo first, or a peace that returns it to Viterbo
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: The 1199 break and the 1201 outcome are on it.wikipedia (Vitorchiano); the relief of 1199 and the January 1200 battle on Gregorovius and Luchaire as cited by rom.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.