The town of Lerma dates back to at least as far as the Iron Age, when the Celtiberian tribe of the vacceos lived in the area. The town was formed in a strategic position on a hill overlooking the Arlanza River. The area was then conquered in turn by the Romans, the Visigoths, and the Berbers, and in the 10th century was conquered by the Christians during the Reconquista when the Arlanza River became the border.[3]
From then Lerma grew as a medieval walled town, and witnessed a period of significant growth and wealth in the 17th century. This growth included the construction of buildings in Herrerian style under the patronage of the Duke of Lerma that today are among the best-preserved historical-artistic complexes in Spain. After the death of the duke, the town went into slow decline. During the Peninsular War the town was occupied by French troops, who burned and looted the town and convents on their retreat [3]
