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.