The well preserved village of Toffia testifies to the powerful influences once exercised by the nearby mighty Abbey of Farfa. It still contains many traces of the once dominant Roman baronial families like the Orsini and the Colonna. Palaces, churches, alleys, streets and fleeting glimpse make it a very picturesque hamlet indeed.       

Information with regards to its foundation is scratchy and very fragmented but some antique medieval manuscripts trace the event to the creation of the castrum Tpohiae, at the beginning of the X century. Many recent archaeological excavations thought, have proven that the area was inhabited from at least the late Bronze Age, more or less between 1200 and 2000 years before Christ.

It is impossible to ascertain with any certainty on the origin of the toponym of the place. One of the hypotheses made is that it could derive from the name of its founder, a certain Teofilo, of whom we know next to nothing. A second opinion is that it originates from the Latin term tophium, used to indicate the hard rock on which the fortification was subsequently built.

The parish church of Santa Maria Nova, built on the highest spot, is very unusual. It was constructed in the XVII century on the foundation of where it was said used to be the palace of the Colonna family. Some time ago, in the little square in front of the church traces of cisterns were found, it was presumed they used to serve to collect water or other liquids for the nobles' residences. The name of the church may come from a chapel inside the Palace, known as Santa Maria in Castello. The building has a Romanic flavour to it and contains some good quality frescos and XV century paintings of the Florentine school.

To visit and appreciate Toffia one has only to lose oneself in its narrow alleys and enjoy the surprises on offers. The parish church of Santa Maria Nova deserves a visit. Under the church is a huge grotto in which a statue of the Madonna has been placed. On leaving the village it is well worth stopping at the first clearing to take a picture of this picturesque place sitting high on its hill.