Regional Museum of ceramics

The Regional Museum of ceramics of Deruta, opened in 1898, is inside the convent complex of San Francesco, dating back to the XIV Century and today wholly restored, and describes the evolution of the Deruta majolica, starting from the archaic production, to the XX Century.    

The Museum itinerary, essentially organized chronologically, develops also in specific thematic areas, such as: the majolica floors (from the church of San Francesco in Deruta, from the Cappella dei Priori in Palazzo dei Priori and from the Rocca Paolina of Perugia), the votive tablets, the model of an ancient “spezieria” (pharmacy), and other collections. 

What renders unique this particular museum is the metallic tower, four floors high, linked with all levels of the edifice; this tower is meant as a deposit, but it is also accessible for the public and is organized for study activities.

The contemporary section is mainly constituted by art works from the national market/exhibition “Multiplo d’Artista in Maiolica” and the “Premio Deruta”.

The archeological section offers a significant panorama of the main types of pottery produced in ancient times of Greek, proto-Italian, Etruscan and Roman ceramics. Since September 2013 the Archeological Area of San Salvatore Furnaces is included,  linked to the museum through a modern underground tunnel. It is a Renaissance production plant, placed close to castle walls, with remains of furnace for the earthenware production of Deruta, of the XV to the XVII Centuries. 

The museum displays as well a specialist Library on Ceramics, inside the “Casa della Cultura e dell’Associazionismo” (House of Culture and Associations) in the Historic Centre of Deruta, with more than  2000 volumes, one of the most furnished documentation centre on these specific themes of ceramics.