The Venue
[Ettore Majorana Foundation and Center for Scientific Culture]
The Ettore Majorana Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture is named after an outstanding Italian physicist, born in Sicily in 1906 (see left). Every year the Centre of Erice hosts several workshops covering different scientific disciplines (e.g. physics, medicine, chemistry, life sciences etc.) for hundreds of scientists participating. It was founded in 1962. Since then, this centre has represented an important meeting place for scientists from all over the world.
Embracing 127 schools, covering all branches of science, the Centre is situated in the old pre-mediaeval city of Erice where three restored monasteries provide an appropriate setting for high intellectual endeavor.
About Erice
History
According to a legend, Erice, son of Venus and Neptune, founded a small town on top of a mountain (750 metres above sea level) more than three thousand years ago. The founder of modern history-i.e. the recording of events in a methodic and chronological sequence as they really happened without reference to mythical causes - the great Thucydides (500 B.C.), writing about events connected with the conquest of Troy (1183 B.C.) said:
"After the fall of Troy some Trojans on their escape from the Achaei on the sea towards the West arrived in Sicily by boat and as they settled near the border with the Sicanians all together they were named Elymi: their towns were Segesta and Erice".
This inspired Virgil to describe the arrival of the Troyan royal family in Erice and the burial of Anchise, by his son Enea, on the coast below Erice. Homer (1000 B.C.), Theocritus (300 B.C.), Polybius (200 B.C.), Virgil (50 B.C.), Horace(20 B.C.), and others have celebrated this magnificent spot in Sicily in their poems. During seven centuries (XIII-XIX) the town of Erice was under the leadership of a local oligarchy, whose wisdom assured a long period of cultural development and economic prosperity which in turn gave rise to the many churches, monasteries and private palaces which you see today. In Erice you can admire the Castle of Venus, the Cyclopean Walls (800 B.C.) and the Gothic Cathedral (1300 A.D.).
Erice is at present a mixture of ancient and medieval architecture. Other masterpieces of ancient civilization are to be found in the neighbourhood: at Motya (Phoenician), Segesta (Elymian), and Selinunte (Greek). On the Aegadian Islands – theatre of the decisive nav al battle of the first Punic War (264-241 B.C.) - suggestive neolithic and paleolithic vestiges are still visible: the grottoes of Favignana, the carvings and murals of Levanzo. Splendid beaches are to be found at San Vito Lo Capo, Scopello and Comino. The rocky coast around Monte Cofano is another scenic place in Erice's surroundings: every spot is located at less than an hour's drive from Erice.
Climate
As Erice is situated on top of a mountain at an altitude of 750 metres, it is much cooler than at sea level. Therefore, we would advise you to bring some warm clothing, and a windbreaker or anorak; the weather is rather unpredictable in Erice and the temperature can suddenly change.
Getting Here
Plane
Erice is served by the airports of Palermo and Trapani. Participants must communicate their arrival/departure times and flight numbers in advance of their arrival. On the official arrival day, transportation from Palermo airport to Erice will be provided by the Ettore Majorana Centre. Participants arriving at Palermo airport should look for the Ettore Majorana meeting point within the arrivals terminal where the Ettore Majorana Centre driver will be awaiting. Participants should register upon arrival at the Centre Secretariat (I.I. Rabi Institute). There will be no lectures on either the arrival or departure days of the Course. On the official departure day transport to Palermo airport will be provided by the Centre.
Train
Take the train to Trapani. Erice is situated on the moutain overlooking Trapani. From Trapani, take a taxi to Erice. Confirm the price before taking the taxi. You can view the train schedule here (set Trapani as your destination).
Car
Driving to Erice from the main Italian cities (Rome, Milan or Naples which is connected to other European cities) can be a long trip. It can be a chance to tour Italy and Sicily, but it needs careful planning. Distances (driving the Autostrade network) are
Milan - Rome: 560km
Rome - Naples: 210km
Naples - Villa San Giovanni (ferry to Messina/Sicily): ~500km
Messina - Erice: ~300km
Parking in Erice
Cars are not allowed to enter the historical centre. You therefore must find a parking space outside the ancient walls of Erice. Paying at the cash machine could be expensive. However, at the parking lot located at “Porta Trapani” you can buy a 7 day permit (12€/week, 1 week minimum) but you must have a document certifying that during the given period you are attending a Workshop at the Ettore Majorana Centre. If needed the organizers will provide you with such a document. Also a photocopy of the vehicle certificate is required.