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Toffia in Sabina: the village where deals were sealed by the sound of a coin
In Toffia in Sabina, deals were completed with a sound. In the heart of this medieval village, in Piazza Lauretana, the Marmo di Piazza is an ancient Roman stone that would be used as a test bench. Here, coins were struck against it to verify their authenticity by the sound they made. It was a genuine instrument for sealing business deals.
A village fought over and divided in two
The village has a complex history. For centuries, the powerful Roman Orsini and Colonna families competed for control of the town. This left a profound mark. Their rivalry literally split the village in two: the lower part belonging to the Orsini, the upper part to the Colonna. A division that can still be seen today as one strolls through its streets.
The legacy of the families in their palaces
In the lower area is Palazzo Orsini — today the seat of the municipality — while in the upper part the Church of Santa Maria Nova was built directly on top of the old Colonna fortress. Further exploration uncovers other historic residences, such as Casa Oddoni and Palazzo Ruffetti, silent witnesses to a rich and contested past.
