About Sinj(Croatia)
Sinj is a town in the continental part of Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia. The town itself has a population of 11,448, while the population of the administrative municipality which includes surrounding villages is 24,832 (2011).
Sinj is the center of an area known as Cetinska krajina, a group of settlements situated on a fertile karstic field (Sinjsko polje) through which the river Cetina passes. Sinj lies between four mountains: Svilaja, Dinara, Kamešnica and Visoka. Those mountains give Sinj its specific submediterranean climate (hotter summers and colder winters).
The town grew around an ancient fortress held by the Ottomans from 16th until the end of 17th century, and the Franciscan monastery with the church of Our Lady of Sinj (Gospa Sinjska), a place of pilgrimage.
The anniversary of the last victory over the Ottoman army in 1715 is celebrated yearly in the beginning of August by Sinjska alka, an equestrian competition in which ceremonially dressed horsemen try to hit a small ring (alka) with their lance while galloping.
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 (Alka). 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.
The Sinj sanctuary is famous all around the world where are Croats. Numerous pilgrims come to receive Marija´s mercy. The experts suppose that painting was painted by unknown Venetian artist in 16th century.
You find yourself on the Croatian south, a short distance from Split, in the empire of waters, fields and stone-. Welkome to the city of Sinj (13000 inhabitants) and the District of Cetina that seduces you with its rich culture, a hundred years old tradition, turbulent history, interesting present and promising future. This is the challenge for all who want to take a rest from the tiresome daily rutine, for those cheerful curious people who want to feel the gentle breeze of the nature mingling with hospitable people.
Sinj and ihe District of Cetina, bordered by Svilaja and Kamesnica. rich with waters, woods, fertile soil have been attracting people ever since. The oldest history that has been told by axes, knives, arrows, grindstones and pottery of the museums in Sinj is connected with the ancestors of the younger Stone Age Numerous heaps on the ground above the fields "sojenice" on Cetina river and the ruins of a castle on the rising ground build the link from the MetalAgetothe Iflyrian times to their fighting Dalmatians.
Setovija was the last fortress conquered by the roman legions led by the emperor Oktavian 33 BC. Roman empire ruled over this region of Cetina for the next 6 years until the invasionof Avars and Slavs.
At the begining of the 7 th century the Croats came to Sinj and its surrounding. By their constant settlement they created its own civilization they have been building in spite of the historic turbulances until present days.The modern history of the city of Sinj begins in the 1715 when the scarce Croatian and Charolic army defeated Turkish troops. The leader of this triumphant army, father Pavao Vuckovic. succeeded and under the Venetian fortress in The Old town he defeated much stronger enemies thanks to the great help of the miraculous Mother of Sinj.
In memory of this glorious victory the people of Sinj started to run the Alka and every first Sunday for almost three centuries young generations remember their brave ancestors by this chivalrous competition.
These young knights also had to affirm their loyalty to Croatian people in the Croatian war of Independence over the last decade. "The Mother of Sinj", our Lady of Sinj helped again in the victory over the invasion from the East.
The Mother of Sinj and Alka become the symbols of Sinj and the Cetina District.The prayer and nation consciousness became deep-rooted in the souls of the proud people of this region where you can feel the softness of the Mediterranean and firmness of the people from Dinara. They are on their own land, and are not selfish they keep Croatian flag but also the European civilized behaviour. They cultivate their tradition and culture sharing them with friends from all the continents. It s really worth visiting Sinj and its surrounding.
• Welcome and enjoy the nature and people of this district!
Sinjska alka commemorates the miraculous victory of 700 Sinj defenders against a Turkish siege of 40,000-60,000 soldiers on August 15, 1715.
The knightly contest of Sinj alka is more than a local celebration of Croatian oldest festivity. With its successful heeding of the chivalric heritage, picturesque ceremonies, colorful costumes and longstanding tradition, the Sinj alka has become a national event, broadcasted live on television all over the country.
Celebrating a Local Festival in Sinj as a National Event in Croatia
Every year on the first Sunday in August, Croatian leaders and celebrities join the festive spectators from all over Europe to applaud the winner whose name goes into the Chronicle of Chivalrous Alkar Club. According to the city records dating back to 1818, Antin Nikola Cerinic is the leading winner. He won 12 times in 31 competitions between 1867 and 1900.
Local restaurants or cafes are crowded with guests enjoying roast lamb, smoked ham, cheese, beer, soft drinks and local wines while they are waiting for the pageant. The tournament starts in the afternoon with the procession of the knights and their escorts in traditional costumes into Alkarsko Trkaliste (the Alka Track).
“Alka” actually means “ring” and refers to the target the knight has to strike using a 3 meters lance on a horse in full gallop. The ring is placed at a height of 3.32 meters from the ground and 160 meters away from the lancer. "Alka" consists of two concentric iron rings linked by three bars dividing the space between the rings into three equal parts. It is like a Mercedes Benz logo with a small ring in the center.
The knights score different points by hitting different parts of “alka”. The smaller ring, 35.1 mm in diameter, gives three points whereas the upper part between the two rings gives two points and the remaining two parts brings a point each. The knight scoring the highest points after three rounds of competition becomes the winner. The master of ceremony, called the “Duke”, declares the winner and gives him the Croatian tricolor Pennant hoisted on the pole.
The winner, now a local hero, then takes a victorious ride into the old city, accepting a great ovation from the crowd on both sides of the main street. Another duty of the newly crowned winner is to give a big feast to all the other knights. But his family is only too proud to oblige as the honor is for the coming generations to remember as the saying goes.
The easiest way is to take a bus from Split, the capital of Dalmatia. Buses run every hour and arrive at Sinj in about one hour.
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