The most massive M* > 1011 and oldest galaxies account for more than half of the total stellar mass in the local Universe. Their formation and evolution still represent an open contentious question in present-day astrophysics and cosmology. Recent observations have revealed the presence of massive quiescent galaxies even in the first cosmic epochs (out to z>4), representing a challenge for galaxy formation models: it is unclear how they became so massive  over such short timescales, how their stellar metallicity grew so fast to solar or supersolar values and, finally, what quenched these objects so quickly and efficiently. 

The main aim of this symposium is twofold: 

1. Review  results from the latest observations of massive quiescent galaxies in the Universe, from high-z to z~0; then,

2. Critically analyze to what extent state-of-the-art theoretical models of galaxy formation and evolution can reproduce observations. 

NAPLES

The symposium will take place in Naples, a beautiful and attractive city by the sea in the south of Italy. 

Naples is home to the Capodimonte Astronomical Observatory, belonging to the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF), and the Federico II University which hosts a department of Physics and Astrophysics. 

The city is easily reachable, being served by an international airport and a fast railway. 

HOW TO REACH THE CITY CENTRE 

From the airport: 

• by Taxi - it should cost around 25€

• by the Airport Express Bus (Alibus) - tickets can be purchased at this link . It take about 30 minutes (2 stops) from the Airport to "Naples Immacolatella Porta di Massa". The conference venue is ~900 mt away from there. 

From Garibaldi train station: 

• walking would be around 1.5 km (~20 mins)

• by Taxi - it should be 10 minutes and around 10-15 €

THE CONFERENCE VENUE:
THE SS MARCELLINO AND FESTO CONVENT

The conference will be held downtown Naples, in an astonishing convent complex that includes two 7th century monasteries dedicated to the SS. Marcellino, Pietro, Festo and Desiderio. In the 1808 the monastery was suppressed until it started, some century later, to be used by the University of  Naples Federico II. In the 1932 the Museum of Paleontology was established there.

The rich interior decoration in polychrome marble was designed by Luigi Vanvitelli. The statues of the altar are by Vaccaro and works by Simonelli, Corenzio and Stanzione artists are found too.

Nearby the venue, there are multiple restaurants, cafee and street-food stalls where it will be possible to buy a large variety of food. Nevertheless, a lunch-box service will be available for the participants on site (to be purchased during the registration process).