It is the site of a former medieval village that lies at the foot of the Tifatini Mountains located 10km north-east of the City of Caserta, at an altitude of approximately 401 meters.

The origins of Casertavecchia are uncertain, but according to the Benedictine monk, Erchempert, in Ystoriola Langobardorum Beneventi degentium, the village was founded in 861 AD.

The previous Roman town was called "Casam Irtam" (from the Latin meaning "home village located above").

During this period it was controlled by the Swabian, Riccardo di Lauro (1232–1266), who increased the political power of the town.

By 1842 political rule had entirely moved to the great palace in the larger city, with the Casertan diocese finally relocating from Casertavecchia to Caserta.