ABOUT ERICE
According to 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 naval 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, and a wild and rocky coast around Monte Cofano: all at less than one hour's drive from Erice.
Sicily in June is a beautiful place, see the following:
Weather
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, even in the Summer. The weather is rather unpredictable in Erice and the temperature can suddenly change.
You can check the current weather conditions in Erice here.
How to reach Erice
By Air
There are many flights from Rome to Palermo, a few from Milan apart from the international connections. On the initial and final day transfers are provided by the Ettore Majorana Centre. At Arrivals, look for the meeting-point poster "Ettore Majorana Centre". Go to the tourist office in the Arrivals area if you have any problems.
By Train
From either Milan or Rome it is relatively easy to reach Erice. You must take a 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. Remember to use Trapani as your destination.
By Road
There are two possibilities:
1) Drive along the Autostrada del Sole via Milan-Bologna-Florence-Rome-Naples-Villa San Giovanni (Reggio Calabria); then take a ferry-boat from Villa San Giovanni to Messina and drive to Erice (350 km from Messina).
2) Take the ferry-boat either from Genoa or Naples to Palermo, and then drive on to Erice (100 km from Palermo). The places on the ferry-boat must be booked in advance.
Arrival and Departure
Participants must communicate their arrival and departure times and flight numbers well 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 inside the terminal at the arrival gate where the Ettore Majorana Centre driver will be waiting. 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 day of departure, transport to Palermo airport will be provided by the Centre.