In the heart of Catania, an art market living boutique hotel where an ever-evolving contemporary art collection combines with the charm of one of the most beautiful eighteenth-century buildings and the tale of the most fascinating legends linked to the history of the city.

Asmundo di Gisira was born inside an aristocratic residence in the heart of what is one of the most evocative neighborhoods of Catania, the Pescheria, with its colored umbrellas on the sky of Via Gisira and the many typical restaurants.

Designed by the famous architect Giuseppe Palazzotto, who was in charge of some of the most beautiful buildings of the late Sicilian Barocco, it was built at the beginning of the 18th century, following the earthquake that destroyed the city in 1693, commissioned by the powerful Adamo Asmundo and his wife Maria Landolina, owner of the fiefdoms of Bonfalà and Gisira located in the Noto area.

We want the guest to feel integrated into the urban sentiment of the city and into Sicily itself, a place where artistic narration intersects with the history of Catania.

This is the wonderful setting that was chosen by the deus ex machina of the project, Umberto Gulisano, dentist, patron and great art enthusiast, together with Marilena Briga, to host their large collection of contemporary art.

The conservative restoration was entrusted to Studio Gum who interpreted the wishes of Umberto and Marilena, making it a heartfelt homage to the history of the palace and of Catania, known as the “black city” for the material, lava stone, of which it is mainly composed, given its proximity to the sacred volcano Etna.

Thus the original friezes have been combined with contemporary details such as the walls painted the color of lava stone or the ancient Cementine tiles which have been relocated to form new decorations in some of the rooms.

Inaugurated to the public in 2017, the boutique hotel has 13 rooms and suites, a reception and various lounge areas spread across the floors where exhibitions and events are also organised. The hotel is, in fact, by its definition an art market living boutique hotel, a name born from the union of an art market, intended as a gallery and exhibition venue, and a hospitality project.

The rooms, all different and obviously rich in works of art, are divided into 6 Art Rooms inspired by pop art and the myths of the city’s history, from Sant’Agata to Colapesce, 6 Noclassic Rooms located on the upper floors, decorated with furniture and objects expressing Sicilian Baroque and neoclassicism, and 1 suite apartment on 2 floors.

Breakfast is a real ritual that is consumed, if the weather permits, on the wonderful terrace overlooking what is defined as the most beautiful square in Catania, Piazza San Filippo, today Mazzini, or in the bar room decorated with the works by the Palermo artist Rossana Taormina and the enormous fresco by the Swede Daniel Egnèus.

The works of art are constantly evolving, although some, especially those created site-specific, are now an integral part of the boutique hotel, such as the flamingo and Spiderman by the Sicilian artist Domenico Pellegrino or the large blue and gold canvases by Sergio Florentino from Catania.

The common thread of the collections is pop art in all its forms, from the bad girls of Max Ferrigno to the irreverent paintings by Max Papeschi dedicated to the great “dictators”, up to the colorful three-dimensional works of Massimo Malpezzi aka Kokokid and the photographs with the marvelous bodies of Oreste Monaco.

Asmundo di Gisira regularly hosts events related to the world of art such as vernissages and market exhibitions, on which you can stay updated by consulting the structure’s social networks.

Truly a unique experience, an immersion in beauty and art that is difficult to forget, heightened by the unique charm of the only Baroque city in the world which “is reborn every time from its ashes even more beautiful”.

The Secret

On the top floor of the hotel there is a 2-storey apartment suite with 2 wonderful private terraces, with a view as far as the eye can see between Etna and the port, and a large kitchen with a convivial table, theater for events, photo shoots and cooking lessons.

Useful Info

Asmundo di Gisira
Via Gisira 40
95121 Catania
Tel. +39 095 0978894

Rooms: from 200 euro with breakfast included