The Convent of San Domenico, founded in 1486 by the Dominican Preachers, was for centuries one of the main centres of culture and spirituality in Erice. The church of San Michele was built adjacent to the complex, helping to create a place of great religious and social importance for the entire community.

In 1670, confirming the institution’s growing prestige, the convent was elevated to a priory, becoming a focal point for Dominican life in the area. Over the centuries, the building was extended and altered several times, until the final restoration in 1858, which consolidated its architectural appearance.

Alongside its religious function, the convent also played an educational role: until 1962, it housed the village’s primary schools, becoming a central venue for the education of Erice’s younger generations.

A significant turning point came in 1972, when the complex was designated as the headquarters of the Ettore Maiorana Foundation, an institution of international renown dedicated to the study and dissemination of scientific knowledge. This new function has given the convent a contemporary dimension, whilst keeping its historical value intact.

Today, the Convent of San Domenico is a unique place of its kind, where religious and architectural heritage intertwines with research and culture, making it one of Erice’s most fascinating landmarks.