hotel in Castel di Tusa

Exteriors

For those who have ever dreamed of living in, experiencing and relishing art, what once was utopia has come true. In a beautiful scenery in front of the blue sea, a museum hotel of contemporary art is waiting for them, a setting that inspires wonder, where all details are cared perfectly and combine with walls and furnishing to create a piece of art to sleep in, live, see and feel.

This unique museum hotel sits at a walking distance from the sea in Castel di Tusa, nearby Cefalu (ME).
The hotel and the park of monumental sculptures in Fiumara di Tusa have both been conceived by the same person, the hotel owner and art worshipper.

Fiumara di Tusa, today a river bed, was once a 21-kilometre river flowing down the Nebrodi mountains till reaching the Hales, a river whose abundant current of water only during the winter meanders the mountains of stoned and sometimes luxuriant vegetation landscapes, offering a magnificent view over the area.

The mouth of the river features a monument-sculpture by Pietro Consagra in memory of the hotel owner’s father. The single project, which started in 1982, developed into a bigger one: turning the place into a park of contemporary pieces of art to mingle with the beauty displayed in the area and to be shared with the whole community. At present Fiumara is the biggest park of monumental sculptures in Europe.

The idea of an open air museum park had to overcome many obstacles such as orders of suspensions, lengthy deliberations in the council, an ordinance against unauthorized building on some of the works of art, five legal actions against Fiumara, intricate legal business, the majors’ withdrawal of support, sentence to demolition and millions on fine, a claim for damaging the beauty of the landscape and even arrest.

The action of artists to help preserve art in public spaces, mingling with the natural beauty of the landscape counteracted the obstacles and let the park continue growing and stand there for all to relish. Many artists contributed with their pieces of art to embellish the area and support the idea of a new concept of an open museum, with works at their expense, boosting the territory, supporting the artistic and cultural creation of an area of international interest. The artistic proposal was also supported by a spontaneous exhibition called “One kilometre of canvas” , which later was cut for homes to become “domestic museums”, a film among the sculptures by Raul Ruiz, a mobilization in Rome and a petition signed by 69 renowned artists.

Only after 25 years of struggle, Fiumara won the battle, meaning the success of art.

The concept behind Fiumara and this hotel in Castel di Tusa is that art is an integrating part of our lives, of spaces we sleep and dream in, of spaces we work and relax, of windows that open to new ideas…of pieces that express human feelings.

This singular hotel in Castel di Tusa is an inspiring setting for those who worship contemporary art.

Interiors

This inviting hotel in Castel di Tusa offers Standard and Art Rooms that have no parallel around the world.

The Standard Rooms dominate a precious view of the sea and are fitted with modern comforts. As the Art Rooms, they have also been individually created by artists who gave them uniqueness.

Internationally renowned artists have provided the Art Rooms with their passion for art and have inextricably intertwined experiences of life, pleasure and beauty with it.

By means of a sophisticated electronic system, an elevator will take guests up and down only if they sing a song… certainly not an experience for the shy ones.

In the laboratory of the hotel guests will be able to join a course on ceramics and do their own works of terracotta.

This museum hotel in Castel di Tusa has been conceived for unconventional people, for those who can go beyond their own limits and see life from an artistic point of view.