The castle of Trofarello dates from the ninth century and belonged to the Vagnone family, an old Lombard house and lords of the place. For a long time it was a military strongpoint: in 1233, when Moncalieri was at war with Chieri, the lords of Trofarello let the Moncalieri men use their castle to defend themselves and push the enemy back more quickly.
What to see
The turning point came with the War of the Spanish Succession. In 1705 the troops of marshal La Feuillade, in reprisal, set fire to the castle, where munitions and supplies were kept, destroying it almost completely. Of the original building only the central tower and some stretches of outer wall survived; the rest was rebuilt after the French left, but with no defensive role: the new castle was born as a noble residence, first on a single floor, then enlarged to three with lavishly furnished halls.
Visiting
The land around changed trade too and became a park: the different levels of the garden are the trace of the ramparts and defensive walls, now entirely gone. Set into the main block is the chapel of San Rocco, inaugurated in 1792, which some attribute to Juvarra and Vittone. The eastern wing, in neo-Gothic forms, was built by the architect Ricci from 1928 through the following decade.
Our editors' tip
Vincenzo Gioberti and marquis Carlo Alfieri, senator and writer, grew up in this castle, and Saint John Bosco lodged here: for a village building that is a notable concentration. It must be said, though, that recent history is complicated, between a partial demolition at the back, the family's departure and several changes of ownership: you look at it from outside, and it is worth checking beforehand what can actually be visited.