Lerma, Historic municipality in Province of Burgos, Spain
Lerma is a municipality in the Province of Burgos situated on elevated terrain with views toward the Arlanza river valley. The town features a coordinated layout of stone buildings arranged around a central plaza, with the Ducal Palace and Collegiate Church as its main structures.
The settlement originated in the medieval period but underwent major reconstruction in the early 1600s. The Duke of Lerma commissioned the construction of his palace, churches, and a new urban layout between 1598 and 1618.
The Collegiate Church of San Pedro anchors the plaza with its baroque design, shaping how visitors move through the space. This religious structure serves as the visual and spatial centerpiece that defines the character of the central area.
The town is easily explored on foot since major buildings cluster around the central plaza. The former ducal residence now operates as a hotel offering lodging, while the church and other historic spaces remain open for visitors to enter.
A covered passageway connects the palace directly to the church, demonstrating how secular and religious authority were physically linked. This passage allowed the ruler to move between the two centers without stepping into the street.
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