June 29, 2022 - While the City of Split and the seaside towns remain the main attractions in the summer, some major events are about to take place a bit further away from the sea. A look at Split-Dalmatia County summer events to look forward to this year...

It's not too late to make some changes to your Split travel itinerary, even if we're now welcoming the high season, and therefore the high temperatures as well. At the time this article was written, weather reports indicate that the temperature is 36 degrees in Split. It 'sdifficult for us to come up with a better plan that doesn't include being near or even in the sea. Even if someone went out of their way to convince you how much there is to see or do beyond the sea in Split-Dalmatia county, your answer would surely be, ''not in these temperatures!"

What if that someone was me? What if I made an effort to convince you? What if I told you that there are three unmissable Split-Dalmatia County summer events beyond the mountains of Mosor and Kozjak worth seeing? Trust me, there are. Not only will you have a great time, you'll also be able to discover destinations that you might not have thought of before, and get closer to the culture and heritage of other places across Split-Dalmatia County.

5th Thrill Blues Festival (July 1-3, 2022)

Trilj is a municipality and town located 40 km northeast of the centre of Split, and the drive there via the D1 and E65 highways takes between 35 and 40 minutes. Trilj is a very popular destination for those who love adventure sports and outdoor activities, due to its proximity to the Dinaric Alps and the Cetina River. But in addition, Trilj boasts a great history that goes all the way back to Mesolithic times.

This Friday, Trilj will hold its 5th edition of the Thrill Blues Festival (get the pun?). The Thrill Blues Festival is part of the ''Summer in Trilj'' programme, which seeks to bring visitors closer to Trilj's tourist offer. From the 1st of July, Trilj will become the capital of blues music and will have not only an elite lineup on its stage but also a great gastronomic offer. If you're in Split and looking for a different experience, then this is for you.

46th Imotska Sila (July 3 - August 17, 2022)

Imotski may already be familiar destination to many. It's located on the other side of the Biokovo mountain range, 85 kilometres southeast of the center of Split, a journey that takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes by car if you go via the E65 highway. While Imotski is widely known for its medieval castle, as well as the popular Blue Lake and Red Lake, Imotski is also a place in Croatia that has been inhabited since Neolithic times, and thus has a lot of history. One of the longest-running cultural events in the region will be held in this town, Imotska Sila, which will celebrate its 46th edition from July 3 to August 17. Get ready to enjoy an event with a rich programme lasting more than a month, which will include numerous concerts of different genres, magic shows, poetry recitals, film screenings, and much more.

307th Sinjska Alka (August 7, 2022)

Perhaps one of the most important and anticipated Split-Dalmatia County summer events, the Sinjska Alka event is an equestrian competition and is classed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Sinjska Alka event takes place in the historic town of Sinj, 34 kilometres northeast of the centre of Split, and you have to take the D1 motorway and embark on a journey that takes 35 minutes by car to get there. 

The Sinjska Alka event commemorates the Croatian-Venetian victory on August 14, 1715, in which a Christian population of no more than 700 managed to resist 60,000 marauding Ottomans. In addition to this military prowess, the inhabitants also celebrate the Lady of Sinj, who is believed to have interceded for them. In addition to the famous equestrian competition, in which the participants ride horses and try to aim their spears at a hanging metal ring (the alka), the people of Sinj also celebrate the procession of the Lady of Sinj on those days. Sinj definitely becomes the focus of attention throughout the country, and it is absolutely worth it if you get away from the sea for a few days to enjoy a great cultural experience.

Image: PJL/Wikimedia Commons

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