Mennula Fest

A festival dedicated to the almonds of the Sicani

The Mennula Fest was born in 2025 in Alessandria della Rocca, a village nestled in the heart of the Sicani Mountains, in the province of Agrigento. The event celebrates the almond — mennula in the local Sicilian dialect — a symbolic fruit of local agriculture and the protagonist of an ancient gastronomic culture. Organized by the Associazione Sole sui Sicani, the festival aims to promote the traditions of Alessandria built around almond cultivation and the rural landscapes of the Agrigento hinterland.

From the almond grove to the mill: a journey of taste

Mennula Fest is not just a simple village fair: it is an immersive experience that guides visitors through the entire almond production chain. It begins with guided tours of the almond groves, where you can learn cultivation techniques and participate in the hand-harvesting and the initial processing stages, from shelling to drying. The journey continues to a historic mill, active since the 1960s, where you can observe the methods used to produce almond paste and traditional sweets.

The flavors: 'ncannellati and almond sweets

The delicious heart of the festival lies in the traditional sweets of Alessandria. Among them, the 'ncannellati stand out—small treats prepared with a simple yet flavorful dough made of almonds, sugar, honey, and natural aromas. Along the streets of the historic center, food stalls offer tastings of sweet and savory almond-based products, alongside craft workshops and live demonstrations.

Music, folklore, and Sicilian carts

Beyond the food and wine, Mennula Fest brings the village to life with folk music, street performances, art and craft exhibitions, and a display of vintage cars and motorcycles. The most evocative moment is the parade of Sicilian carts, which brings the rural history of the territory back to life amidst colors, decorations, and ancient crafts.

A village in the Sicani Mountains to discover

Visiting Mennula Fest also means discovering Alessandria della Rocca and the Sicani Mountains area, an inland part of Sicily still largely untouched by mass tourism, characterized by rolling hills, nature trekking, and a strong rural identity. An ideal destination for those seeking an authentic Sicily, far from the crowded routes of the Agrigento coast.