Asmundo di Gisira, Catania, Italy
A Mythological Boutique Hotel Where Sicilian Legends Become Contemporary Design
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A beautifully restored eighteenth-century palazzo transformed into one of Sicily’s most imaginative design hotels by Studio GUM.
● Six individually designed suites inspired by Catanian myths, folklore, and religious traditions, brought to life through contemporary art and Italian design.
● A remarkable collaboration between architects, artists, and local artisans that turns hospitality into a cultural experience.
A Palazzo Filled with Stories
Just steps from Catania’s historic Pescheria market and Piazza del Duomo, Asmundo di Gisira offers an entirely different way to experience Sicily. Behind the elegant façade of an eighteenth-century aristocratic residence, Studio GUM carefully restored the palazzo while preserving its stucco ceilings, decorative mouldings, and historic character. Rather than creating a conventional luxury hotel, the designers transformed every space into a celebration of Catania’s mythology and artistic identity. History remains visible. Every room tells a story.
Where Myth Meets Contemporary Design
Architect Valentina Giampiccolo and designer Giuseppe Minaldi created interiors that constantly move between past and present. Mid-century Italian furniture, contemporary artworks, custom-made pieces, restored frescoes, marble, ebonised oak parquet, and handcrafted Sicilian ceramics coexist with surprising ease. Throughout the hotel, works by artists including Domenico Pellegrino, Sergio Fiorentino, Rossana Taormina, and ceramist Alessandro Iudici reinforce the dialogue between local culture and contemporary creativity. Nothing feels decorative. Everything has meaning.
Six Suites, Six Legends
Each of the hotel’s six suites interprets a different Sicilian myth or Catanian legend. Proserpina unfolds beneath magnificent frescoes within a greenhouse-inspired setting. Agata pays tribute to the city’s patron saint through layered symbolism and theatrical installations. Uzeta references the legendary knight with sculptural leather detailing and a striking Gaetano Pesce foot chair, while Colapesce, Aci & Galatea, and Eliodoro each translate local folklore into distinctive spatial experiences. Design becomes storytelling. Culture shapes every detail.
Art Beyond the Guest Rooms
Creativity extends far beyond the suites. Guests are welcomed by Sergio Fiorentino’s portrait of Billonia before encountering Domenico Pellegrino’s monumental pink flamingo, inspired by the birds that once inhabited Catania’s Giardino Bellini. Corridors, lounges, and communal spaces function as small galleries, while the breakfast room combines restored historic stucco with bespoke marble tables beneath a botanical fantasy created by a Swedish illustrator. Hospitality feels like a curated exhibition. The building continues to evolve through art.
At the Heart of Historic Catania
Asmundo di Gisira places guests within easy walking distance of Catania’s cathedral, markets, Baroque streets, and vibrant cultural life. Without a formal restaurant, the hotel encourages exploration of the city’s outstanding food scene, while its knowledgeable team readily shares recommendations for galleries, artists’ studios, restaurants, and the creative community that continues to shape modern Catania. The destination feels authentic. The experience feels unmistakably Sicilian.
Why It Works
Asmundo di Gisira succeeds because it transforms local identity into immersive hospitality. Through sensitive restoration, exceptional contemporary design, and a rich narrative rooted in Sicilian mythology, it offers far more than accommodation. It is a living gallery where architecture, folklore, and creativity come together to capture the spirit of Catania in unforgettable fashion.
