Lerma: sights, history and trails

Lerma's history began in 1166, when William V of Monferrato tried to regain the castle Parodi Ligure. During the attempt, however, Rondinaria was destroyed, and the survivors migrated to a steep hill overlooking the Piota valley, starting to reinforce it. It was precisely in that period that Erma was born (as a hermit, due to the remoteness of the village), today's Lerma. The first document in which its existence is found occurs under the marquises of Morbello. The slow Ligurian penetration occurred when a part of the territory passed into the hands of the Genoese Republic in 1204, and then passed completely to Genoa in 1233.

In 1325 Lerma was a possession of the Marquis of Monferrato, and later in 1384 the castle and its surroundings were sold to the Genoese, being ceded family to the family and then sold to Ottobono Spinola in 1414, and from this moment will remain of the aforementioned house. The event was of great importance during the Thirty Years' War, when 28 brave men helped by their respective women opposed a strong resistance with the few means available (hot water, arrows and stones) to the 1500 Spanish soldiers of Don Diego D'Aragona in punitive expedition against the Spinola. Given the enormous difference in forces, the Armenians were forced to surrender to honourable conditions.

In 1713, following the Treaty of Utrecht, it finally passed under the Savoy, which immediately imposed heavy taxes on the population. A legend known to most of the Armenians is certainly that of the three roses: Isabella Corvalan, in 1565, who was staying in the castle, received three golden roses from a Genoese cavalry order, whose petals were stunned by rubies. Roses hide a secret message that according to tradition only the queen of Castile and some esoteric orders knew how to interpret. Called by the Spanish Viceroy in Milan, woman Isabella hid the roses in the castle, repromising to return later to recover them, which she did not do, thus remaining the treasure still today inside the building hidden somewhere. In the 19th century, documents were found that revealed this fact, but despite research, roses were never found. It is told that in one day of autumn, when the sun strikes in oblique with its rays the castle, the glow of rubies will make to shine the roses.

The Spinola castle, rebuilt by the family of the same name in 1499, is located in a picturesque position on a cliff over the stream Piota. Around its walls there is the receptacle: a walled village that can be accessed through an open arch that acts as a unique entrance. It used to pass also from the coasts of the river, going up to the side of a hill. Now that way is private and dangerous.

The parish church of Lerma was built by transforming a pre-existing tower into apse. In 1975, a fresco of Genoese school was discovered in 1608. Baptism of Jesus by the Baptist also depicting the patrons, Agostino and Cecilia Spinola, feudal lords of the place. Today completely restored, after three years of work, preserves inside it a Madonna with Child by Barnaba from Modena.

The parish church, located in the cemetery of Lerma, preserves in its unique nave, with wooden trusses ceiling, beautiful paintings of the fifteenth century, in particular, in the apse cast, the Christ the Pantocrator, depicted enclosed in a mandorla, the origin of life, surrounded by the symbols of the four Evangelists.

In the city is home to Pierre Tractors, a historic producer of fruit and vegetable tractors.^[7]

Lerma is served by self-services managed by STP (formerly ARFEA) and SAAMO companies.

In the past, the town was served by a bus stop of Novi Ligure - Ovada, relatively far from the village, whose races ceased in 1953.

Below is a table relating to the administrations that have succeeded one another in this municipality.

• 
  Church of San Giovanni al Piano
• 
  Campanile and church of San Giovanni Battista
• 
  Castle Spinola
• 
  Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rocchetta