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Porta Maggiore in Toffia: the entrance to the castle and the district of medieval palaces
Porta Maggiore was the main entrance to the castle of Toffia. It had a drawbridge: the holes where the hoisting chains ran are still visible, along with the guard posts and loopholes. At the top right, the coat of arms of Toffia can be seen, depicting the church of St Lawrence in the centre and two towers on the sides: a reference to the two-level jurisdiction that divided the town for centuries.
Via di Porta Maggiore
Some of the most important historical buildings of the medieval settlement are concentrated here. At number 4 is Palazzo Ruffeti (now Bufalieri), from the 15th century: between 1637 and 1705 it hosted the seminary of the Abbey of Farfa. At number 9 is Palazzo Orsini, also built in the 15th century, today the seat of the Town Hall: it is one of the three Orsini palaces in the village, recognisable by the travertine cross-mullioned windows and the loggia that originally had four arches on columns. At number 16 is the 14th century Casa degli Oddoni, featuring a Sabine portal and travertine cross-windows. On the lintel of one of the doors, the image, today almost unrecognisable, of Our Lady of Sorrows is engraved.
