Deruta

Deruta is a town and comune in the province of Perugia, in the Umbria region of central Italy. It is located in the Tiber valley on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside, about 20 kilometers southeast of Perugia.

Deruta has a long-standing tradition of maiolica pottery, dating to medieval times and flourishing in the Renaissance. The town is renowned for tin-glazed earthenware, often decorated with bright blues, greens, and yellows, and with patterns ranging from geometric motifs to floral and figural designs.

Historically, Deruta's workshops produced wares for domestic use, as well as for churches and trade. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Deruta became a major center of maiolica, with artisans developing distinctive motifs and producing plates, bowls, tiles, and other items that circulated throughout central Italy.

Today, Deruta remains a center of ceramics, with numerous studios, shops, and galleries. The craft continues to attract visitors who can watch artisans at work and purchase wares, and several museums and showrooms document the history and contemporary practice of Deruta pottery. The wares are exported internationally and remain a hallmark of Italian maiolica.