Sinj

In the northwest corner of this green sea, in the shadow of Mt. Visoka and at the foot of an old fort, lies the town of Sinj, an attractive verdant setting difficult to imagine as the site of fierce combat and great suffering.

Sinj is located 34 kilometres from Split. It is a patchwork quilt of fields and pastures, stitched together with rows of willows and poplars.

It is the place of pilgrimage to Our Lady. Every year thousands of people from all parts of Croatia and further come to Our Lady and have left spiritually strengthened and renewed.

• Every year, on the first Sunday in August, a tilting competition takes place here, brilliantly costumed knights (alkari) competing according to tourney rules preserved over the centuries. This tilting ceremonies last for a three days. On the first day the “Alkari” (tilters) complete for “Bara” and on the second for “Coja”, which is the pre-qualification stage for the main competition. “Vojvoda” (the Duke) puts three meter long “Coja” (red homespun) on the winners lance point.

The competitors in knightly postures on galloping horses aim the ring target called “Alka” with their lances. “Alka” consists of two concentric iron rings linked by three bars dividing the space between the rings into three equal parts. A hit into the smallest central part (“u sridu”) gives three points, the top part two and the bottom parts one point each. The winner is the competitor that has collected the maximum number og points. Vojvoda ties a threecoloured flag called “plamenac” to the winner called “Slavodobitnik” and gives orders for the Alkar`s name to be recorded in golden letters in the Chronicle of Chivalrous Alkar (Tilting ) Club.

The Alka tournament presents symbol of victory of the people of Sinj and the Cetina district from Turkish attacking.

Proud and jewel of Sinj and Cetina district is Miracle Painting of Bless Virgin Mary of Mercy. This portrait is one of the most beautiful painting in Christian art. There are many Mary royal towns in catholic world. Numerous pilgrims come to receive Marija´s mercy.

The outlying housing developments that form part of Sinj in administrative sense include Bajagić, Brnaze, Čitluk, Glavice………