The essence of Il Leone blu

About us

Located on the noble floor of a beautiful historic palace in the center of Catania, B&B Il Leone Blu stands out for the architectural and artistic elegance of its rooms and the refined simplicity of its furnishings.

The name of the B&B is inspired by the lion depicted in the heraldic symbol of the noble House of Aragona of Sicily, the Acquaviva family. Indeed, our guests can admire at the entrance of the house a banner, sculpted in high relief, clearly featuring the figures of a tower, a crown, and a lion standing as a “valiant protector” of the lineage, which, in its original version, is indeed blue in color.

Just a five-minute walk from Piazza Duomo, the Palazzo dei Chierici, the Cathedral of Sant’Agata, the Baroque Via dei Crociferi, the Greek-Roman Theater, and many other splendid historical sites, B&B Il Leone Blu overlooks one of the city’s most important monuments, Castello Ursino.

An essential destination for tourists, archaeologists, historians, and restorers, the Castle transforms at night into the center of Catania’s nightlife, standing majestically in its square surrounded by typical restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

The Castello Ursino

This fortress, whose name derives from “Castrum Sinus,” meaning the “castle of the gulf,” was built between 1239 and 1250 on the seaside by order of Frederick II of Swabia. In 1669, it was reached by the lava from Mount Etna, which, while not damaging its structure, filled the moat, covered the bastions, and shifted the coastline several hundred meters.

The castle, originally conceived as a symbol of Swabian imperial authority and power, lost much of its grandeur, forever concealed under tens of meters of magma. Nevertheless, it remains one of the most fascinating and important sites in the city.

Since 1934, this castle has housed Catania’s most important museum, the Civic Museum, attracting archaeologists, historians, and restorers for the vastness and variety of its collections. At night, it transforms into the center of Catania’s nightlife with its numerous restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.