Things to see in Deruta

Deruta is a town in the centre of the region of Umbria in central Italy. It is mainly known as a center for the production of ceramics.

Deruta has been producing pottery and ceramics since the 14th century. Why pottery production is centered on this small town seems to be due to the quality of the local clay. Deruta reached its zenith in the 16th century with much of its pottery drawing inspiration from the Renaissance and from painters such as Raphael, who came from nearby Gubbio.

There are more than 300 ceramic firms in Deruta today and it is still possible to visit the artists at work in some of the smaller shops. The larger shops, along the main highway, mainly cater to passing coach parties but to buy the real thing you have to venture up into the hill town.

Piazza dei Consoli. Main square of the town. The town hall and the church of S. Francesco are located on this square, as well as several shops.

Town Hall (Palazzetto Municipale). Dates from 1300. Its atrium houses a collection of neolithic and Etruscan archaeological finds. It also houses a collection of paintings taken from churches in the area and the Museum of Ceramics. Church of S. Francesco (opposite the town hall). Built in Romanesque-Gothic style. Pope Urban IV died in the adjacent convent in 1264.