Lerma: Castle, Ricetto, Nature and Culture

Lerma combines impressive history with a close connection to nature and unique excursion destinations. The castle, the ancient Ricetto, churches, an astronomical observatory and the Gold Museum come together to create a diverse picture of the town. Lerma thus offers a combination of historical discoveries, nature-related experiences, active trails and the Festa del Fungo in September.

Castle, Ricetto and Historical Traces

The main structures of Lerma Castle date from the late 15th century. It was built by Luca Spinola. The castle therefore offers a tangible insight into the architectural and local history.

The castle rises on a tuff rock above the Piota River. This combination of masonry, rock and river shapes the landscape around the town. The ancient Ricetto has also been preserved intact within the ring wall. It is considered the original settlement core of Lerma.

The religious buildings also lead back to earlier eras. The Romanesque church of San Giovanni Battista al Piano is probably what remains of Lerma's older settlement of Rondinaria. The parish church of San Giovanni Battista in Lerma also houses a painting of the Virgin and Child by Barnaba da Modena.

The Santuario della Rocchetta is now known as Nostra Signora delle Grazie and was built before 1291. It can be reached via a road lined with 19th-century Stations of the Cross.

Knowledge, Gold and Unique Experiences

Lerma's astronomical observatory serves as a research centre and, above all, as an educational centre for schools and visitors.

The Museo Storico Italiano dell'Oro documents the history of Italy's gold deposits through historical documents, topographic maps, photographs, tools and samples of gold-bearing minerals. The combination of documents, topographic maps, photographs, tools and samples of gold-bearing minerals brings together historical and material evidence of the gold deposits in the museum. The museum is open by request. Group tours of the Museo storico dell’oro italiano di Lerma (fiume) can be arranged on other days by telephone at 339/2656342.

Nature and Trails in the Surrounding Area

Lerma is one of the municipalities included in the Capanne di Marcarolo protected area, designated as SAC/SPA IT1180026.

The Sentiero Cirimilla–Cascina I Foi is also suitable for mountain bikes. It connects the Ovadese localities of Tagliolo, Lerma and Casaleggio Boiro with the remote hamlet of Capanne di Marcarolo. Those planning the Sentiero in sections can include Tagliolo, Lerma and Casaleggio Boiro as well as Capanne di Marcarolo.

An Event in September

The Festa del Fungo takes place in Lerma in September.

Discover More Places

If you would like to extend your trip beyond Lerma, you can also include Borgo Adorno, Sant'Agata Fossili, Alessandria, Ciglione, Rocca Grimalda, Montacuto, Grognardo and Bistagno among your further options.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Alessandria.