The village rises on a hill, a few kilometers south of Casale Monferrato. Its origins certainly date back to the Roman era, but it is only in 1119 that it is documented.
Known as “Turricula,” meaning small tower, it is certain that around the mid-1200s Frederick II ceded it, along with other territories, to the Marquises of Occimiano. From that moment on, the village appears several times in historical documents, also under the name “Terricola,” meaning small land, which testify to various changes of ownership up until the Napoleonic era; the rest is more recent history.
The urban layout is predominantly medieval, although architectural evidence from that period—apart from a defensive brick wall built in the 1400s and still standing—has not survived. The presence of an ancient castle is only remembered in the name of a street (Via Sotto la Rocca); on the presumed site of the castle, today there is a square where a small early 20th-century swing is preserved in a tiny flowerbed.
Next to the square is the Church of San Martino, with its distinctive bell tower standing 34 meters high and equipped with five bells. The tower was built in 1906, while the church itself was consecrated in 1601. It was constructed using material from a previous chapel; the building is certainly older and has undergone various interventions over the years.
Another religious building is the Church of San Grato, dating from the late 16th century, with a distinctive octagonal plan. San Grato is the protector of fields and agricultural produce.
Unusual for a village of this size is the beautiful park of Villa Poggio, which extends over more than one hectare and preserves century-old trees, including a large cedar of Lebanon, as well as rare plants, including some wild orchids. Noteworthy are also Villa Pavia and Palazzo Arborio di Gattinara, the latter also featuring a park with century-old trees, including a Ginkgo Biloba that turns a vivid yellow in autumn.
The village also houses a more recent construction, Torre Veglia, and the Teatro delle Muse, renovated in Liberty style in the early 20th century. Inside, a large vaulted hall decorated with paintings and frescoes hosts an engaging theatrical season.
