Asmundo di Gisira
Urban art gallery meets noble palazzo. Bold, pop-art-inflected, intellectually playful. More downtown Manhattan than rustic Sicily — but with deep local roots in mythology, market culture, and Catanian history.
Ask for breakfast on the rooftop rather than the terrace — there's an additional charge but the Etna views are worth it
Why It Matters
Every object in the hotel is purchasable, so the art collection is genuinely ever-evolving. Works by Domenico Pellegrino (a ceramic Spiderman on the exterior wall, a four-metre-tall flamingo in the lobby), Max Ferrigno, and Sergio Florentino make the place feel more gallery than guesthouse. The glass floor in the reception reveals the sunken Roman streets below. No other hotel in Catania mixes Baroque architecture and contemporary pop art this deliberately or successfully.
An 18th-century aristocratic palazzo in the heart of Catania's historic Pescheria neighborhood, Asmundo di Gisira operates as an 'art market living boutique' — meaning the contemporary art covering every wall, corridor, and ceiling is actually for sale. Built in the early 1700s following the 1693 earthquake and designed by architect Giuseppe Palazzotto for the noble Adamo Asmundo family, the building has been transformed into one of Sicily's most cosmopolitan small hotels. Thirteen individually conceived rooms split between atmospheric first-floor Art Rooms (each built around a Sicilian myth or legend) and more classically styled second-floor Neoclassic Rooms. The rooftop terrace, with its Etna views and American Bar, is the social hub.
Where You'll Stay
9 room types available
Aci e Galatea
The most spacious Art Room on the first floor, drawing from Ovid's Metamorphoses and the story of Acis and Galatea. Three private balconies overlooking Via Dottore and Via Gisira. Two queen-sized beds separated by a vibrant green partition. Polyphemus's singular eye watches from the mirrored bedside table and circular ceiling lamp. Also suitable for guests with mobility issues.
Two Queens · 51 sqmColapesce
One of six Art Rooms on the first floor, inspired by the Sicilian fisherman legend of Colapesce. The room is painted in aqua-blue with driftwood touches, shell patterning, a fish-shaped wire lamp, and exposed bulbs hanging on coral-coloured rope. Private balcony overlooking Via Gisira.
King · 38 sqmDeluxe Roof-Top
A 42 sqm double room on the rooftop level, with soundproofed walls and a private bathroom featuring both a bathtub and a separate shower. City-facing views. Nespresso coffee station, minibar with organic products, Smart TV with Sky, and a luxury scent menu.
King · 42 sqmEliodoro
Dedicated to the legendary mage Eliodoro, who rode an elephant through Catania's streets. Decorated in a surreal 1960s atmosphere evoking his world of occult arts and playful mischief. One of six Art Rooms on the first floor.
Neoclassic Rooms (Memories, Traveler's, Writer's, Room of Time)
Four additional Neoclassic Rooms on the second floor, alongside Suite Bellini. These rooms carry a traditional palazzo aesthetic — chandeliers, classical artwork, antique furnishings — with two private balconies overlooking the streets below. Each is a junior suite-style layout with 40–50 sqm of space.
King or DoubleProserpina
Themed around the Eleusinian Mysteries and the myth of Persephone/Proserpina. One of six Art Rooms on the first floor, with immersive mythological art installations throughout.
Sant'Agata
One of six Art Rooms on the first floor, dedicated to Catania's patron saint. Fiery splashes of red hint at Saint Agata's fate, with a king-size four-poster bed draped in white awnings symbolising her pristine veil. High ceilings. Private balcony overlooking Via Dottore. Tiled bathroom with rainfall shower, chromotherapy lighting, Moorish-style partition, and twin sinks.
King · 39 sqmSuite Bellini
The largest and most prestigious room in the palazzo, on the second floor. Named after Catania's legendary opera composer, Vincenzo Bellini. Traditional palazzo feel with statement chandeliers, classical artwork, antique furnishings, and — the showpiece — a wooden piano for in-suite serenades. Private balcony overlooking Via Gisira. The hotel's largest bathroom with a big walk-in shower. Metallic lettering above the bed reads, 'You make my heart go boom boom.'
King · 60 sqmUzeta
Inspired by the medieval knight Uzeta who battled Moorish warriors at Castle Ursino. Weapons hang above an armoured headboard, a white ceramic crocodile climbs the wall, and a giant black foot chair by Italian architect Gaetano Pesce dominates the room. Features a monsoon shower reaching nearly five metres high. Two private balconies overlooking Via Auteri and Via Gisira.
King · 44 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The hotel regularly hosts art exhibitions, vernissages, and market exhibitions in collaboration with contemporary artists. Events are announced on the hotel's social media channels.
A guided tour of the hotel's permanent and rotating contemporary art collection, including site-specific works by Domenico Pellegrino, Sergio Florentino, Max Ferrigno, and others. Every work has a price list; hotel guests receive special purchasing discounts.
The ground floor reception hosts 'Antiche Mura,' an in-house boutique of modernariato (mid-century antiques and vintage) curated by Marco Rainò, a vintage professional since 1991. Items range from mid-century Italian furniture to Sicilian ceramics, all available to purchase with a guest discount.
The hotel can organise wine tasting experiences in the volcanic vineyards surrounding Mount Etna, known for their distinctive Etna Rosso and Etna Bianco DOC wines.
The hotel can arrange guided off-road day trips to Mount Etna, including summit hikes and crater tours. Etna is approximately 45 minutes' drive from the hotel.
A private dining event in the rooftop dining room with show cooking performance. Can be booked as a special occasion experience for couples or groups.
A guided tour of La Pescheria fish market to source fresh ingredients, followed by a hands-on Sicilian cooking class with a private lunch served on the panoramic rooftop terrace. One of the hotel's most popular experiences.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Lift access to upper floors of the palazzo.
A first-floor living room/meeting hall with original Baroque architectural details, a 4-metre flamingo installation, and terrace access. Available for private meetings and events.
A dedicated reading room within the palazzo.
Complimentary high-speed Open Fiber WiFi throughout the property and in all rooms. USB charging points in all room areas.
Panoramic rooftop garden-terrace with views of Mount Etna and Catania Cathedral, featuring a solarium, Sicilian garden plantings, covered dining area, American Bar, and professional kitchen.
A large lush terrace on the first floor overlooking Piazza Mazzini, with Mediterranean plantings, seating, and breakfast service.
In-room dining available 8am–11pm.
Knowledgeable staff who provide insider knowledge of local markets, restaurants, and landmarks. Can arrange Etna tours, airport transfers, and station pickups.
The hotel is committed to plastic-free operations, using natural and recycled materials throughout, and sourcing locally — including market-fresh breakfast produce, Ortigia bath amenities, and locally made artwork.
The reception floor features a glass panel revealing the ancient Roman street level beneath the palazzo — a genuine archaeological feature.
BUILD YOUR ASMUNDO DI GISIRA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning