Vitorchiano is an 'invisible’ in the countryside: its old town merges with rocks. Located on a spur of volcnanic tuff, it is surrounded on three sides by deep ravines and is one of the most spectacular fortified towns of Tuscia, the roman name for Etruria. The town is linked to Rome in an original way because it still provides men for Capitolina Guard. Vitorchiano had been for years dominated by the rivalry between Rome and Viterbo until, in 1267 they they repaid their war debts and the Vitorchianesi took a solemn and formal oath of submission to Rome. The Roman Senate appointed Vitorchiano "Land Faithful to Rome" and granted it a number of privileges and declared it 'the castle and part of Rome'. The most important privilege was represented by the honour to provide men for guarding the capital, called its "Vitorchiano Faithful". This privilege has been constantly exercised since 1267 to the present day. Even today, in official events, you can admire the Guard of the Capitol in costumes that, according to tradition, were designed by Michelangelo Buonarroti. In this village were shot some scenes of the movie "L'armata Brancaleone" with the legendary Italian actor, Vittorio Gassman, the film is from 1966 and was directed by Dario Monicelli.
