Medieval records mention Trofarellus, with variants such as Troffarellus, Trufarellus, Tropharellus, most likely derived from the word “truffare,” which means to deceive or swindle. The toponym falls into the category of place names related to fraudulent or brigand activities, often favored by the isolated location of the settlement. Its origins are very ancient, as evidenced by the discovery of artifacts from the Neolithic period, bronze fibulae from the 2nd century BC, and funerary objects and remains of walls that attest to Roman presence in the area. Toward the end of the 10th century, it became part of the territory of the House of Arduin, but with the rise of the power of the bishops, it was given to the Bishop of Turin. After being incorporated into the County of Celle for a long time, in the 13th century, it was granted to the Vagnone family, who submitted to the municipality of Chieri and received its investiture.
Places of Interest
Of great historical interest is the castle, probably built in the 10th century on a hill still called Castass (small castle) today. It was extensively renovated in the 18th century and transformed into a noble residence. Only the tower remains intact. In the 19th century, part of the castle belonged to Count Camillo Benso di Cavour, who made some changes to it, including the addition of the park. The main building includes the chapel of San Rocco, dating from the second half of the 18th century, believed by some to be designed by Juvarra.
Also noteworthy are the ancient Parish Church of the Saints Quirico and Giulitta, erected in 1907 on the ruins of an ancient church of the Augustinian monks, as well as the Church of Santa Croce (1679) and the small Church of San Giuseppe, both built in the early 18th century. Other noteworthy buildings are located in the ancient County of Celle: the castle of Rivera,built in the early 14th century by the will of the municipality of Chieri, the remains of the ancient Parish Church of San Pietro di Celle, and the 18th-century Sanctuary of the Madonna di Celle,with its beautiful Romanesque bell tower on whose walls the Tau cross, similar to the Greek letter Tau, is engraved.