Farfa Valley
Toffia
Toffia stretches along a rocky spur, with Porta Maggiore leading into a historic centre shaped by two rival families. The Orsini held the lower area and the Colonna the upper one; between them are palaces, churches, an art museum and even a Roman stone once used to conclude business deals.
Farfa Valley
Toffiathe village divided in two
Toffia occupies a rocky spur between two ravines. Porta Maggiore leads into an elongated historic centre where arches, palaces and churches accompany a short walk full of changing perspectives.
The character of the village also comes from an old division. The Orsini shaped the lower area and the Colonna the upper one: Palazzo Orsini and Santa Maria Nova still mark the two ends of this history. Between them are the Maria Petrucci Museum and the Marmo di Piazza, two places making Toffia far more unexpected than it first appears.
On this page you can
- Enter through Porta Maggiore and follow the village from the Orsini area to that of the Colonna
- Discover the Maria Petrucci Museum and the curious story of the Marmo di Piazza
- Find your way among places to see, frascarelli, olive oil, hospitality and Farfa Valley stops
Porta Maggiore
The scenic gateway leads directly into the village’s medieval nucleus.
Two noble families
Orsini below and Colonna above: their rivalry left a geography that can still be read.
Petrucci Museum
Wooden sculpture and art within Casa Raniero, a historic 17th-century residence.
Marmo di Piazza
A Roman stone connected with trade and with testing coins through their sound.
What to see
ExploreToffia
A village poised between Orsini and Colonna
Toffia occupies a rocky spur between two ravines and stretches through a historic centre of arches, palaces, churches and uphill passageways. The visit also follows an old division of power: the Orsini area below and the Colonna area towards Santa Maria Nova above.
- Porta Maggiore, the scenic entrance to the medieval nucleus
- Santa Maria Nova, built in the area of the former castle
- Palazzo Orsini, a sign of the historic rivalry between great families
- The Marmo di Piazza and Maria Petrucci Museum, two unexpected discoveries
In the village and nearby
Local producers
A useful, up-to-date selection, ordered by relevance, quality and proximity.
Olive oil mill
Monteflavio · 13,2 km
Olio di Stanlio
A test entry for a local olive oil mill.
History and identity
Two familiesone village divided in two
During the Middle Ages Toffia was known as Tophiae. The most reliable foundation date is 897, while historical documents record a fortress built in 936 over earlier Roman structures. The village therefore grew in a place used long before the medieval period.
In later centuries history took an almost geographical form. The Orsini and Colonna disputed the territory and the village was divided in two: the Orsini held the lower area, with the palace now used as the town hall, while the Colonna held the upper area where Santa Maria Nova would be built. Walking through Toffia still means crossing that rivalry.
- Tophiae · 897
- Fortress · 936
- Orsini and Colonna
In the village and nearby
Local services
A useful, up-to-date selection, ordered by relevance, quality and proximity.
Pharmacy
Featured Ascrea · 20,0 km
Test
This is a test entry for a local pharmacy.
Technical practice
Montelibretti · 8,6 km
Studio Tecnico Gobbi
Studio Tecnico Gobbi, led by surveyor Stefano Gobbi, is a trusted technical practice in Montelibretti for building design and planning, cadastral and administrative procedures. The practice works on…
Village events calendar
Events in Toffia
Events, festivals and local initiatives selected for Toffia.
Calendar being updated
No events published
New events will be added as soon as they become available.
Browse the full calendar→Authentic flavours
Toffiafrascarelli, olive oil and fried pizza
In Toffia, the dish bringing land and table together is frascarelli
Frascarelli
In Toffia, flour, water and experienced hands are enough: small crumbs become a dish that tastes of home.
In the village and nearby
Where to eat
A useful, up-to-date selection, ordered by relevance, quality and proximity.
Bar / Café
Montelibretti · 8,6 km
Bar Test 01
A welcoming meeting place in the heart of Sabina, ideal for a leisurely breakfast, a quick coffee or an aperitivo after a walk through historic lanes, scenic views…
Restaurant
Monteflavio · 13,2 km
Pala del Palo
A test entry for a local restaurant.
Pizzeria
Castel di Tora · 17,5 km
Pizzeria Test 02
Pizza is always a delight, especially when it is made in the Neapolitan style.
The village in figures
Toffiathe measurements of a village on the spur
The historic centre occupies a small part of the territory but concentrates a surprisingly dense history. Toffia’s figures describe a compact Farfa Valley municipality, from the village at 286 metres to the highest points of the municipal area.
Elevation
elevation of the town hall
Residents
residents on 1 January 2026
Area
between the village and the Farfa Valley
Highest elevation
highest point in the territory
In the village and nearby
Where to stay
A useful, up-to-date selection, ordered by relevance, quality and proximity.
Hotel
Monteflavio · 13,2 km
Hotel Villa Prova
A test hotel entry.
FAQ about Toffia
Six practical answers for planning your visit, finding your way around the village and connecting the day with other places in Sabina.
What should you see in Toffia?
The visit begins at Porta Maggiore and the historic centre. Main places include the Church of Santa Maria Nova, Palazzo Orsini, the Maria Petrucci Museum and the Madonna di Loreto area with the curious Marmo di Piazza.
Where is Toffia?
Toffia is in the province of Rieti, in the Farfa Valley. The village occupies a rocky spur between two ravines and lies near Castelnuovo di Farfa, Fara in Sabina, Salisano and Poggio Nativo.
Why is Toffia connected with the Orsini and Colonna?
The two families disputed the territory and their rivalry eventually divided the village into two areas. The lower part was connected with the Orsini and Palazzo Orsini; the upper part with the Colonna, in the area where Santa Maria Nova was built.
What is the Marmo di Piazza?
It is a large oval Roman artefact in Piazza Lauretana, in front of the Madonna di Loreto. Tradition states that it was used as a table for concluding business and for testing coins through their sound.
What are Toffia’s traditional flavours?
The flavours chosen to represent Toffia include frascarelli, Sabina extra virgin olive oil and fried pizza. Frascarelli are a rustic preparation of flour worked into small crumbs, suited to simple and flavourful dressings.
What can you see around Toffia?
Nearby you can continue towards Castelnuovo di Farfa, Fara in Sabina and Farfa Abbey, Salisano, Poggio Nativo and Mompeo. Toffia works well as a stop on an itinerary through the villages and olive groves of the Farfa Valley.
From this village a new itinerary begins
After the historic centre, connect your visit with another village, a local place to eat or a walking route and build a complete day in Sabina.
