Deruta

Travel Guide

Deruta featuring a small town or village
Deruta which includes heritage elements
Deruta showing heritage elements
Deruta
Deruta featuring outdoor art

Famous for its fine ceramics and hand-made dinnerware, Deruta is one of those medieval villages in Italy where crafts, Catholicism and culture are still celebrated.

Admire the rich colors and intricate patterns of the local pottery, browse medieval streets lined by Gothic architecture and visit one-of-a-kind museums and churches in the Umbrian town of Deruta.

The art of making decorative pottery began in the early Middle Ages. During the Renaissance, local potters mastered the technique of creating the fine earthenware called maiolica, which has colorful decorations adorning an opaque white, tin-glazed surface. Deruta’s "Bella Donna" plates, depicting beautiful ladies, became famous the world over.

Visit some of the maiolica workshops that are dotted around the Centro Storico (Old Town). Traditional pattern designs include Raffaellesco, depicting dragons Galletto, with roosters and Arabesco, decorated with Persian symbols. A special Roman design is Ricco Deruta, with a distinct whirly pattern.

After centuries of wars and invasions, this medieval “comune” was resurrected in the 13th century. Admire the Palazzetto Municipale (Town Hall), built around 1300, in the Piazza dei Consoli (the Square of the Consuls). Go inside to see the pottery in its Museum of Ceramics, paintings by local and international artists in its Pinacoteca (art gallery), and archaeological finds in its grand atrium.

See the 14th-century Gothic Church of San Francesco and the frescoes in the Church of Sant’Antonio. In Piazza Cavour, visit the Church of Madonna del Divino Amore.

For something truly special drive to Il Santuario Madonna del Bagno, a small church just out of town that is filled with hundreds of hanging tiles. The first “ex-voto” tile was placed by a husband whose wife came close to dying in childbirth. When he got home after praying and making vows to the Madonna, he found mother and child alive and well. The good news traveled like wildfire and people came from all over Italy to hang tiles for loved ones that were spared in the same manner. Check out the dates and personal stories on the tiles, with some being over three centuries old.

The provincial capital Perugia is just 25 minutes to the north by car, while Rome is about 2 hours to the south. With such a wonderful collection of ceramics on display everywhere you look, you should at least buy yourself a hand-painted “biscotti” (cookie) jar or a bowl or vase to take home with you, for a lasting memory of your visit to Deruta.

Country House Le Case Coloniche
Country House Le Case Coloniche
Vocabolo La Torre, Deruta, PG
The price is ¥12,510 per night from Jun 26 to Jun 27
¥12,510
¥13,761 total
Jun 26 - Jun 27
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this vacation home in Deruta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Maioliche Nulli and Regional Museum of Ceramics ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (41 reviews)
"We liked that it was located inbetween farm land and hills. What we didn't like was the stairs were well used to the point of almost being unsafe. But they are authentic for the time period when it was built."

Reviewed on Oct 25, 2024

Country House Le Case Coloniche
Giotto Hotel & Spa
Giotto Hotel & Spa
4 out of 5
Via Fontebella 41, Assisi, PG
The price is ¥13,159 per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
¥13,159
¥15,474 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Assisi. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (687 reviews)
"We had a great stay"

Reviewed on Jun 17, 2025

Giotto Hotel & Spa
Perusia Hotel
Perusia Hotel
4 out of 5
Via Eugubina n.42, Perugia, PG
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Perugia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Cantine Giorgio Lungarotti and ...
8/10 Very Good! (564 reviews)
"The staff were lovely (especially Angelo) and receptionists spoke English. Hotel very clean and light. Rooms decent size. Wi-Fi and TV reception useless! The restaurant was not open and apart from a couple of bars nowhere to eat nearby without walking into the City. About a 20 minute walk into ..."

Reviewed on Aug 3, 2022

Perusia Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Country House Le Case Coloniche
Country House Le Case Coloniche
Vocabolo La Torre, Deruta, PG
Stay at this vacation home in Deruta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Maioliche Nulli and Regional Museum of Ceramics ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (41 reviews)
"We liked that it was located inbetween farm land and hills. What we didn't like was the stairs were well used to the point of almost being unsafe. But they are authentic for the time period when it was built."

Reviewed on Oct 25, 2024

Country House Le Case Coloniche
VILLA SANTA MARIA DERUTA IDEAL UMBRIAN RETREAT FOR REUNION NEAR PERUGIA AND TODI
VILLA SANTA MARIA DERUTA IDEAL UMBRIAN RETREAT FOR REUNION NEAR PERUGIA AND TODI
Deruta
Stay at this villa in Deruta. Enjoy private pools, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Ceramiche Fanny and Regional Museum of Ceramics are ...
Lifelong Memories
"What can I say. The prior reviews for this location were spot on. Franca was an absolute pleasure. Hospitable more like a family member or friend than your typical host. She prepared two wonderful meals for our family, made the check in process seamless, provided us with local tips on where to go ..."

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2024

VILLA SANTA MARIA DERUTA IDEAL UMBRIAN RETREAT FOR REUNION NEAR PERUGIA AND TODI
Castello di Monterone
Castello di Monterone
Strada Montevile 3, Perugia, PG
Book a stay at this historic residence in Perugia. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (281 reviews)
"Beautiful setting, lovely staff, and so fun to stay in a castle! Pool and spa were a wonderful addition. Grazie mille!"

Reviewed on May 27, 2025

Castello di Monterone
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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