A palatial town crowned with a suitably palatial palace. Lerma, once the seat of the Duke of Lerma, the right hand man of Philip III – in effect his governmental stand-in while this latter went off the enjoy the chase. Lerma is full of monuments fit for such an illustrious personage.
The character of the town has been preserved in its original medieval splendour and the casual visitor will be hard pressed to know where to begin with her observations.
To really enjoy this architectural jewel, any itinerary could do worse than start by reserving a room in the Ducal palace. Now a splendidly arrogant parador (a state-owned and run luxury hotel) full of 16th century romanic carvings dotted around like aunt Mavis’ china dogs, the parador has breathed new life into the town.
Sitting proudly at the top end of the expansive Plaza Mayor, and surrounded by houses that once belonged to aristocracy close to the Duke, and which mostly date from the 17th century, the distinctive four towers of the palace can be seen for many miles around.
 The palace heads a monumental list of medieval stars that can perhaps be too overpowering for the unaware. Consider the Iglesia Colegiate de San Pedro.
Built between 1613 and 1627, the church soars high above the Plaza de San Pedro with suitable distain and is full of treasures such as a 16th century organ constructed by one Diego Quijano.
Or how about the medieval centre with original houses, a small square surrounded by columnar supports and a view of the only surviving section of the city wall that, in the 17th century was used as a prison.
More usefully, today it is the headquarters of the Denomination of the Wines of Ribero del Arlanza.
All in all, Lerma is a living and very active testimony to the aesthetic genius of the 16th and 17th century citizens of this part of the world. It is a town that preserves its medieval origins with genuine style.
More information:
http://www.citlerma.com
http://www.ayuntamientodelerma.com/
http://www.todolerma.com/
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