The Ettore Majorana Foundation

The Ettore Majorana Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture (EMFCSC) is named after an outstanding Italian physicist. Born in Sicily in 1906, Ettore Majorana’s breadth of vision and exceptional contributions to theoretical physics moved Enrico Fermi to the following statement: «There are many categories of scientists, people of second and third rank, who do their best, but do not go very far. There are also people of first-class rank, who make great discoveries, fundamental to the development of science. But then there are the geniuses, like Galilei and Newton. Well, Ettore Majorana was one of them».
Every year since 1963, authors of new discoveries and inventions come to Erice; 102 of them were awarded the Nobel Prize after their participation in the Ettore Majorana Schools and 49 were already Nobel laureates when they started to take part in the Centre activities. These scientific world leaders teach to students from all over the world who are eager to receive the latest knowledge directly from the mouth of its authors.
Embracing 136 Schools, covering all branches of Science, the Centre is situated in the old pre-mediaeval city of Erice where four restored monasteries (one of which was the residence of the Viceroy of Sicily during the XIV and XV Centuries) provide an appropriate setting for high intellectual endeavour.

ETTORE MAJORANA FOUNDATION AND CENTRE FOR SCIENTIFIC CULTURE
Via Guarnotta, 26 - 91016 ERICE (Sicily) - Italy
Tel: +39-0923-869133 Fax: +39-0923-869226
Webpage: http://www.ccsem.infn.it/
E-mail: hq@ccsem.infn.it

Location and Structures

Conference building

The San Domenico Monastery is now the Patrick M.S. Blackett Institute with the ‘Paul A.M. Dirac’ Lecture Hall, ‘Robert Hofstadter’ Lecture Hall and ‘John von Neumann’ Lecture Hall.

Secretary, breakfast room and accommodations

The San Rocco Monastery is now the Isidor I. Rabi Institute with the ‘Richard P. Feynman’ Lecture Hall, the Directorate and the main Secretariat of the Centre.

Additional accommodations

The San Francesco Monastery (former Viceroy’s residence) is now the Eugene P. Wigner Institute with the ‘Enrico Fermi’ Lecture Hall.

Erice

Perched on the summit of Mount Erice, 750 meters above sea level, the medieval town of Erice offers one of the most breathtaking views in Sicily. From its stone-paved alleys and ancient ramparts, visitors can gaze out across the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Egadi Islands, and, on a clear day, all the way to Mount Etna.
Erice is a place where history and legend intertwine. Founded by the Elymians and later touched by Greek, Carthaginian, Roman, and Norman civilizations, it has been a crossroads of cultures for millennia. The town’s atmosphere still preserves this blend: churches and convents coexist with castles and watchtowers, while traditional houses with flower-filled courtyards open onto labyrinthine streets.
At the heart of Erice rises the Castello di Venere, built on the site of an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Venus. Nearby stand the Pepoli Towers and the Balio Gardens, offering both cultural heritage and stunning panoramas. Walking through the town, one discovers the Chiesa Madre, numerous small chapels, and monasteries that once shaped religious life here.
Erice is also famous for its pastries, especially almond-based sweets and “genovesi ericine,” whose recipes have been handed down by cloistered nuns. Local craftsmanship thrives in ceramics, carpets, and embroidery, continuing traditions that reflect the town’s identity.
A visit to Erice means stepping back in time while enjoying the warmth of Sicilian hospitality, a journey through history, art, and landscapes that remain etched in memory.