The town is of Etruscan origin; its people are first referred to in Pliny, NH III.114 (Vettonenses). After that its people are mentioned in inscriptions and works by ancient authors.
Vettona was once the seat of a bishopric. While legend associates two other bishops with the see, the only historically-documented bishop was named Gaudentius, who took part in a synod at Rome called by Pope Hilarius in 465.[4][5] The synod was held in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the record of that synod is the oldest surviving record of a Roman synod.
Bettona still retains a complete circuit of medieval walls incorporating portions of the original Etruscan walls. The town was sacked in 1352 and very little remains following that, save the churches that have since been completely updated. The town was ordered rebuilt by Cardinal Albornoz, who built a small rocca where the Church of San Crispolto stands.[7] The remains of a draw bridge can be found in a piazza now used for parking near the town's rear gate, Porta Romana.
Santa Maria Maggiore church, situated in the historical centre, is the main church of the comune. A Gothic chapel located near the nave entrance and dedicated to Saint Rita, is the only remaining part of the original church. The main altar is in the shape of domed temple, by Cruciano Egiduzio. The apse was frescoed in 1939 by the futurist painter Gerardo Dottori.
In the “Oratorio of St. Andrea” is a series of paintings from the school of Giotto, dated 1394, which show the Passion of Christ. The paintings were rediscovered during a 1980s restoration. A beautiful carved wooden ceiling and baroque altar also are features of the church.
