The Ettore Majorana Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture 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». 

The foundation is situated in the old pre-mediaeval city of Erice where four restored medieval monasteries (one of which was the residence of the Viceroy of Sicily during the XIV and XV Centuries) will provide the living quarters for the attendees to the school. The main town of Erice is located on top of Mount Erice, at around 750 metres (2,460 ft) above sea level, overlooking the city of Trapani, the low western coast towards Marsala, the dramatic Punta del Saraceno and Capo San Vito to the north-east, and the Aegadian Islands on Sicily's north-western coast. Casa Santa forms part of Erice at the base of Mount Erice, immediately adjacent to Trapani. A cable car joins the upper and lower parts of Erice.

Besides the beaches of Trapani and Capo San Vito, Erice is also close to many ancheological sites, including the temple complex of Selinunte.