National Conference and Gathering of the Sicilian Mastiff (Cane di Mannara)

A day for the Sicilian Mastiff

The National Conference and Gathering of the Sicilian Mastiff, commonly known as the Cane di Mannara, is the event in Santa Cristina Gela—a small Arbëreshë village in the Metropolitan City of Palermo—that celebrates one of Sicily's most ancient native dog breeds. The event combines a scientific and educational conference with a canine breed gathering, weaving together the island's zootechnics, history, and cultural identity.

The Cane di Mannara, a Sicilian treasure

The Sicilian Mastiff is the dog that for centuries guarded the flocks and farms of the Sicilian hinterland: its name, "di mannara," refers precisely to the sheepfold, the mànnara, which it protected. Long forgotten, it has recently been recognized as the eighteenth Italian dog breed and registered as intangible heritage by the Regional Department of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity. Loyalty, strength, and a deep bond with the land are the traits recognized by experts.

The conference

The morning is reserved for the conference, hosting university professors, veterinarians, archaeologists, and officials from the Sicily Region. Discussions cover the origins and history of the breed, genetic recovery, responsible breeding techniques, and the future prospects of the Cane di Mannara, fostering a dialogue between the academic world, breeders, and local institutions. The scientific portion is promoted by the Samannara association, a specialized group recognized by the ENCI for the protection of the breed.

The national breed gathering

In the afternoon, the village hosts the national gathering, an opportunity to meet the Sicilian Mastiff ambassadors arriving from all over Italy, evaluated by an expert ENCI judge. It is the most anticipated moment for dog enthusiasts: a comparison of the breed standard, the work of breeders, and the future of a living heritage.

Santa Cristina Gela, an Arbëreshë village

Founded at the end of the 17th century by settlers from nearby Piana degli Albanesi, Santa Cristina Gela is one of the three Arbëreshë municipalities in Sicily where the Albanian language is still preserved. Nestled on a hill at an altitude of over 650 meters, with just under a thousand inhabitants, the town offers the intimate, identity-rich setting ideal for an event that speaks of roots, memory, and Sicilian tradition.

Notes on the 2026 edition

The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been officially announced. The event, which reached its second national edition in 2025 following the first in 2022, has so far taken place in the autumn: it is advisable to follow the channels of the Municipality of Santa Cristina Gela and the Samannara association for updates.