Palio della Brocca

A historical reenactment about water and ceramics

The Palio della Brocca is the great historical reenactment of Deruta, in the province of Perugia. The event takes the village back to the mid-19th century, evoking the 1832 earthquakes that damaged the water supply of the historic center, forcing residents to fetch water with ceramic pitchers – the product that has identified Deruta worldwide for centuries.

The three districts in challenge

The protagonists are the city's three districts: Piazza, Valle, and Borgo, linked to the historic entrance gates (Porta di Sant'Angelo, Porta del Cerro, and Porta Romana). The districts compete for the palio in a series of historical challenges: from the "table race" with ceramic transport to the bicycle race, from tug-of-war to the women's basket race, including races for young people (5-17 years old) and the symbolic event, the pitcher race full of water.

Historical procession, taverns, and shows

The scenic heart of the event is the historical procession with over 300 costumed participants, flag-wavers, musicians, and ancient crafts. During the palio days, themed taverns open with traditional dishes, while the program is completed with music, historical markets, and shows. The association "Il Palio della Brocca" organizes the event in collaboration with the municipal administration, celebrating ceramics as an identity element of the territory.