Museo regionale della ceramica di Deruta
Italy’s oldest museum dedicated to ceramics, in the convent of San Francesco in Deruta, with more than 4,500 works on display and a visitable storehouse.
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About the museum
The museum, founded in 1898, describes itself as Italy’s oldest museum dedicated to ceramics. Its first catalogue, from 1900, was titled “Museo artistico pei lavoranti in maiolica” (Artistic Museum for Majolica Workers), recalling its original purpose of offering models to craftsmen. It is housed in the complex of the convent of San Francesco in the historic centre of Deruta and, together with the Pinacoteca comunale, forms the town’s museum circuit.
The collections comprise over six thousand works, of which more than 4,500 are on display, and document ceramic production in Deruta from the Middle Ages to the present day. A large section is devoted to Renaissance and Baroque majolica, to floors and to pharmacy jars.
A four-storey tower-storehouse, with the works on glass shelves, is open for study, teaching and workshops. The route also includes the historic kilns of San Salvatore and the sanctuary of the Madonna del Bagno. The museum offers ceramic decoration workshops for adults and families.
Highlights
- Italy’s oldest ceramics museum, founded in 1898
- More than 4,500 works on display, out of over six thousand held in the collections
- Four-storey tower-storehouse with works on glass shelves
- Ceramic decoration workshops “Mastri Maiolicari” and “(S)graffiti”
- Combined ticket with the Pinacoteca comunale on public holidays
Permanent exhibition
- Collezione permanente di ceramiche – More than 4,500 works on display documenting the ceramic production of Deruta from the Middle Ages to the present day, with a visitable tower-storehouse.
- Founded
- 1898
- Operated by
- Comune di Deruta
- Visitors per year
- approx. 7,856
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €7groups of at least 15 people, members of the Touring Club Italiano and of the FAI |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 14: €3; free up to age 5. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and for their companion. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €7 per personGuided tour for groups of up to 25 people: €100 in Italian, €120 in English; museum and picture gallery: €120 in Italian, €140 in English. |
| Ceramics workshop “Mastri Maiolicari” or “(S)graffiti” (about one and a half hours) | €10Includes a short guided tour, the workshop, firing of the pieces and shipping within Italy on request; the entrance ticket is not included. Booking required. |
Free admission also for licensed tourist guides, accredited journalists, ICOM members and residents. On Sundays and public holidays the ticket is also valid for the Pinacoteca comunale.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Ceramic decoration workshops by booking for families and schools, using pounce decoration (spolvero, “Mastri Maiolicari”) or graffito (“(S)graffiti”).
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum bookshop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided group tours (up to 25 people) by booking; ceramics workshops with compulsory booking on +39 075 971 1000 or at museo.deruta@tourpluscoop.it. |
