SINJ

Sinj is a Croatian town located about 30 km north of Split. Sinj has rich cultural heritage that includes Sinjka Alka and a celebration of Our Lady of Sinj locally called Sinjska Gospa. Sinjska Gospa is allegedly miraculous image of the Virgin Mary, hanged in the local church, Virgin that helped local population to defend against the Ottoman Turks back in 1715.

This image draws pilgrims from all over Croatia to Sinj, on 15th of August every year, when image os Gospa Sinjska is paraded from local church along narrow Sinj streets.

Alka in Sinj (Sinjska Alka) is another cultural manifestation that Sinj is famous for (see the image). It is medieval competition , first recorded in 1715, in which competitors in knightly postures on galloping horses attempt to thread their lances through the ring dangled from a rope.

The ring, called 'Alka' (hence the name) consists of two concentric iron rings linked by three bars dividing the space between the rings into three equal parts. The winner is the competitor that has collected the maximum number of points. Alka competition symbolizes the victory of the people of Sinj and the Cetina district from Ottoman Turks attacks.

Sinj and Cetinska Krajina represent an interesting tourist area, and the major attraction, for which the town is known at home and abroad, is certainly the traditional Tilters Tournament of Sinj. It takes place every year on the first Sunday in August to commemorate the victory over the Turkish army in 1715. The tilters, dressed in the traditional costumes, ride on horseback in full gallop, trying to thrust a ring (alka), hanging from a wire, with a lance.The tilter who scores the highest number of points (punat) is declared victor. Many tourist from Croatia and abroad visit the Tilters Tournament every year.

More info: Sinj Travel Directory - list of Sinj travel links and at Sinj Tourist Board tel: +385 021 826 352 e-mail: tzg-sinja@st.htnet.hr

Sinj - location on the map

• Dalmatia - Croatian reagion where Sinj is located
• Biokovo - mountain and nature park in the Sinj region
• Cetina River- passes through Sinjsko Polje valley.
• Other Croatian cities: Zagreb, Rijeka , Osijek, Dubrovnik , Split , Pula , Zadar,Trogir