August 10, 2022 - The Sinj Tourist Board is bringing it back to when it all began. Jump in the Sinj time machine and enjoy the annual reenactment of the Battle of Sinj 1715!

Organized by the Sinj Tourist Board, a reenactment of the famous and artistically immortalized Battle of Sinj 1715 will take place, along with the events that preceded it, on August 11 (Thursday) at 20:30 at Trg Kralja Tomislava (Market). The event will celebrate its 16th edition this year. 

The historical spectacle takes place in two acts. The first act is staged at Pijaca, Sinj's main square, when the Ottomans dramatically and violently attacked and conquered the town of Sinj, burned the church, and took the people into slavery. Incredibly realistic light and sound effects contribute to the authenticity of the scenes. The second act takes place in the original setting of Alkarski dvori, the former Apartments. Despite the almost hopeless situation, the Defense Council does not think twice and defends its city against a more numerous, superior, and powerful enemy. According to tradition, it was with Our Lady's help that the Ottomans were defeated, and Sinj was freed from the threat of the enemy to keep Christianity. Led by Fr. Pavlo Vučković (embodied by the high school professor, scientist, writer, editor, and publisher Fr. Gabrijel Hrvatin Jurišić), the joyful and grateful faithful have celebrated their patron saint ever since with even greater fervor.

Ivana Pavicic

The Sinj time machine - let's go back together to 1715 when it all began!

Nikola Belančić

The director of the dramatic spectacle is Velimir Borković. The performance was brought to life in cooperation with the Shrine of the Miraculous Lady of Sinj and the Alka Knights Society. Numerous actors from amateur theaters participate in the event, and the leading roles include: Gabrijel Jurišić, Marko Duvnjak, Bruno Barać, Marijan Grbavac, Damir Žane Alebić, Saša Miletić, Bobo Delonga, Dijana Ivić Kundid, Bože Pavić, Vedrana Vrgoč, Sanja Gojun, Mirjana Živalj, Anđelka Vučković, Marko Jelinčić, Anđelka Vučković, Dino Vuković, Dubravka Vuković, Marija Mandac, Dušan Roguljić, Tihana Jelić, members of KU Marko Marulić, GZ Brodosplit, the historical units of the Klis Uskoks, the Patriot Defense Association, the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service, the "Gromovi Zagorje" mountain rescuers, the Association for the Preservation of the Heritage of the Cetinje Region, the Association of Rera and Guslar from Otok, the Sinjski Ferals, the horsemen of the Alka Knights Society, the Alka horses; Marko Vuković and Andrija Ribičić ride the carriages, Vesna Bader and Branka Marinović take care of the scenography, and Miki Nopling, who this year is preparing a particularly impressive staging, is responsible for the sound backdrop and special effects.

Željko Zrnčić

The director is the prominent theater, television, and film actor Robert Kurbaša, the assistant director is Bruno Barać, and the playwright and producer is Luka Perković. And this year, with the performance of the cantata of Our Lady of Sinj, the City Choir of Brodosplit is also in attendance, performing under the direction of maestro Vlada Sunko, a famous music pedagogue, conductor, and composer.

The Battle of Sinj 1715 is a unique stage spectacle under Sinj's August Nights, and the whole town becomes a stage that, with its originality, instantly transports the audience 307 years into the past! The performance is held with the support of the City of Sinj and the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board. 

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated lifestyle section.

August 10, 2022 - The 12th Sinj Village Fair was successfully held over Alka weekend and organized by the Sinj Tourist Board. 

The 12th Sinj Village Fair was successfully held on Dr. Franje Tuđman Square from August 5 to 6, organized by the Sinj Tourist Board, with the support of the City of Sinj and the Cetinje Region LAG - through the 'Dinara back to life' project (LIFE18NAT/HR/000847).

It was attended by more than 25 exhibitors from the Cetina region, Kaštela, Marina, Split, Vrgorac, and Zagorje, who presented their products, from ornaments and handicrafts to gourmet delicacies and products from the village and islands. Old local crafts were also offered, such as the production of folk costumes, opanaks, bakeware, copper, garden tools and other traditional wooden handicrafts and collectibles.

The fair was opened by Miro Bulj, the mayor of Sinj, and all the visitors and participants were blessed by Fr. Marinko Vukman, guardian and director of the Church of Our Lady of Sinj.

In the entertainment part of the program, the Sinj majorettes enhanced the atmosphere as they do with every event. Visitors followed the performances of the faithful guardians of local traditions and customs through the songs and dances of Dalmatian Zagora, which are on the list of the intangible cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia. This included the Association for Preserving Cetina Region Heritage, KUD Vrilo - Obrovac Sinjski, URIG from Otok, KUD Krenica - Gala, KUD Cetina, KUD Glavice, and KUD Dicmo, who performed the traditional rera, the Sinj kola and the final Vrli kola from the opera 'Ero s onoga svijeta'.

Then, Goran Mikas, who presented the chants and musical instruments of Poljica, and the visiting cultural and artistic societies, such as the singing group "Krčevljani" Vitez (BiH), HKUD Sv. Ante Humac - Ljubuški (BiH), KUD "Ilinden" from Demir Hisar (North Macedonia), who introduced us to the traditions and customs of their region. On the final night of the fair, Ljuta kuća performed to raise the atmosphere.

Visitors also took part in engaging educational workshops. Thus, they had the opportunity to get acquainted with the traditional pottery from Potravlje through the production of clay dishes under the skillful hands of master Ivan Knezović. This traditional craft was nominated for UNESCO protection by the Ministry of Culture. The Tourist Board, under the auspices of the Ministry, organizes well-attended educational workshops every year. Visitors could learn about the forgotten skill of making opanak shoes, the only footwear known to Sinj's ancestors and which served them faithfully and for a long time in all activities, as well as the art of weaving baskets at Ljilje Vojković's workshop. 

Art & wine by Ana Poljak presented excellent works of art and wine from OPG Mažurin, along with a wool spinning workshop presented by Jasna and Domina Bilač, members of the Lipota Association. The fair also featured an exhibition of student works from the Split School of Crafts on "Women in Alka" and participants of last year's Sinj photo workshop "The World in Colors."

All visitors to the fair could take part in all the workshops for free and taste local gastronomic delicacies: Sinj uštipak prepared by the members of the Old Crafts Association as well as Sinj gingerbread prepared by Ankica Župić according to the original Sinj recipe.

The 12th Sinj village fair was led by prof. Branimir Romac.

"We would like to thank everyone who helped us bring this fair to life, especially: the City of Sinj and the LAG of Cetinje krajina - Dinara back to life (LIFE18NAT/HR/000847), the Alka Knights Society, the Shrine of the Miraculous Lady of Sinj, the employees of Cistoca in the Cetinje region, KUS-Sinj, Sinj majorettes, Srma association, exhibitors, Cultural and artistic societies, Kamičak d.d., Sinj bobi, MUP PP Sinj, HEP – Sinj, Elektro Bekan, Branki Marinović, and Maja Kovačević.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated lifestyle section.

August 7, 2022 - Frano Ivkovic has won the 307th Sinj Alka, winning the prestigious tournament for the third time.

Ivkovic achieved the victory at the 307th Alka after a double pinning, collecting nine winning points. He was the winner of the jubilee 300th Alka in 2015, and he also took the prize-winning flame to the 304th Sinjska Alka in 2019.

In the first race of the Alkar competition, 17 Alkar spearmen hit only 19 shots, and only Ivo Zorica was above average with a shot in the smallest circle.

The town band of Sinj, which is celebrating its 160th anniversary this year, played more often in the second race, in which Mihovil Zupa, Kristijan Bikic, Frano IvkoviC and Frano Talaja scored three points each.

After Bara and Coja, the rematch also happened at Alka, where Alkars with six points each fought to the end - Bikic, Zorica and IvkoviC. Bikic missed in the first round, Zorica and Ivkovic each won a pin, and Ivkovic secured the title with a "two" shot in the second round.

Mario Susnjara, the Duke of Alkar, tied a flame to the spear of the winner as a sign of victory at the 307th gathering. 

The Duke of Alkar, newly elected by the Assembly of the Knights of Alkar in April, said that since the magnificent victories of the people of Sinj over the Turks in 1715 and the Homeland War in 1991, a lot had happened, highlighting Croatia's entry into NATO and the European Union and the connection between the north and the south by the Peljesac Bridge.

He warned, however, about the emigration of the population. "There are fewer of us. Slavonia, Lika and Krbava, Primorje and Dalmatia remain desolate. Young people are leaving and building other countries," he said, warning that all our achievements will be in vain if we are left without people.

He called on all citizens, especially politicians, businessmen and scientists, to join forces, do their best and stop negative demographic trends.

The President of the Republic of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic, who is Alka's patron, at the end of the competition, wished the winner whom he presented as a gift, to win in the future.

Alka was accompanied by the state leadership, but also at the invitation of President Milanovic, Slovenian President Borut Pahor, which is the first time that a president of another country has come to Alka.

Original article in Croatian here.

July 27, 2022 - Jazz group Nocturnal Four visits Sinj this weekend for a spectacle at Alkarski Dvori! 

At the end of July, Sinj locals and their guests will be treated to a real musical sensation - a performance by the jazz group Nocturnal Four! The world-renowned musicians on their Croatian summer tour this year have already performed in Pula and Zadar and will bring a touch of New Orleans to the Alkarski Dvori stage in Sinj! 

Ratko Zjača, previously known to the Sinj audience, is an award-winning guitarist, composer, performer, and pedagogue. He studied and graduated from the University of Zagreb. After completing his studies at the Conservatory in Rotterdam, where he studied jazz guitar, composition, and Indian classical music, he also studied at the New York University School of Music. Countless collaborations with the greats of jazz music launched him into the stars and brought him many recognitions and awards. John Riley is one of the most famous jazz drummers and educators today. He is a full-time drum professor at the famous academies Manhattan School of Music, The New School, and SUNY Purchase. In addition, he is a permanent external professor at the Conservatory in Amsterdam.

Pianist and organist Renato Chicco studied at the University of Music in Graz, Austria, and at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. In a long and fruitful career, he collaborated with the biggest names in world jazz music. He is currently a professor of jazz improvisation at the University of Music in Graz and continues to perform worldwide. Stefano Bedetti, one of the best European saxophonists, started playing tenor at 14. Inspired by Charlie Parker, Michael Brecker, and many other masters, he discovered new dimensions and approaches to music.

Don't miss a chance to listen to this fantastic quartet on July 30 at 9:30 pm, performing after City Music Sinj, which this year celebrates 160 years of its existence, dedicated work, education, and promotion of the city of Sinj throughout Lijepa naše and Europe.

The concert is free!

Photos by Ante Gašpar and Željke Zrnčić

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

July 26, 2022 - For the 12th time, the Sinj Tourist Board will hold the Sinj Village Fair 2022, which includes an exhibition, tasting, and sale of traditional Croatian products: food, drinks, and souvenirs.

The Sinj Village Fair 2022 is held during the Alka festivities on August 5 and 6, 2022, when Sinj becomes the center of cultural, religious, and tourist events in Split-Dalmatia County and beyond.

By organizing the event, the Sinj Tourist Board gives interested citizens and visitors a chance to taste and buy local traditional products that are difficult for consumers to access because they are not available for sale. At the same time, it helps small and medium-sized farms from the rural area of Sinj and its surroundings, as well as other parts of Croatia, in promoting and selling their products.

An even larger number of exhibitors is expected this year. Therefore, the organizers needed to provide a larger space and even more tables for exhibitors, as they are expected from all over Croatia, of which at least 40% will be local producers.

"We emphasize the importance of this Fair to promote the rich tourist and cultural heritage, as well as the generous offer of agricultural producers and souvenir producers, all to develop the tourism, culture, and economic development of our city.

Also, in this way, all visitors will have the opportunity to stock their holiday tables with quality products from the Croatian countryside during these festive days in our city (Alkar celebrations and the Feast of the Assumption) and make their personal contribution to the Sinj economy and improving tourism," concluded the Sinj Tourist Board. 

Applications to exhibit at the Fair can be submitted via e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., contact phone number 021/826-352, or by coming in person to the Sinj Tourist Board office at Put Petrovca 12, 21230 Sinj.

The application must contain the name and surname of the exhibitor, the name of the association, trade, OPG, etc., the registration number of the delivery vehicle, the contact number, and the number of days for which the exhibitor is applying. Participation in the Fair is free, and the Sinj Tourist Board provides stands for each registered exhibitor.

Due to the limited number of exhibitors, applications will be received until August 4 at 12 pm or until capacity is filled.

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

July 22, 2022 - The Sinj Tourist Board Info Center is now open every day ahead of the Sinjska Alka and Assumption festivities! 

An increasing number of foreign and domestic tourists arrive in Sinj every day. As every year, their number will culminate during the Alka and Assumption celebrations, when hundreds of thousands of guests are expected. Therefore, it is imperative to provide them with a feeling of welcome and timely information.

To better inform tourists, the Sinj Tourist Board opened a Tourist Information Center (TIC) on July 20, on Šetalište Street, bl. Alojzija Stepinca 2. They are working from an extremely visible and attractive space (the former office of Alka Marketing) located near the Church of the Miraculous Lady of Sinj, next to a park with busts of Sinj's most famous people and the Tripalo Palace. Informants from the Sinj Tourist Board will distribute promotional materials and inform tourists about the offers in the city and the surrounding towns.

The jobs performed by the info center staff, in addition to providing information in direct contact with visitors, also include collecting and updating feedback from tourists who have stayed in the city, all to improve the current tourist offer and infrastructure in the town and its surrounding areas. 

The tourist information center will be open from Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and in the high season (August), every day from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. 

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

July 14, 2022 - Alkar training is officially underway at the Alka racecourse, every Monday to Friday from 18:00 to 20:00!

After extensive training at the Sinj hippodrome and the Sinjsko polje plains, the Alkars continue preparations at the Alka racecourse from today, July 14.

Zizic

Every day from Monday to Friday, from 18:00 to 20:00, you can be a part of the unique preparations and see how the Alkars sharpen their eagle eye and adjust their right hand. This also helps the horses at the Alka stable get used to the lively environment and the sand of the Alka track.

Branko Covic

As August and the Alka festivities approach, the whole of Sinj beats to the rhythm of the marching bands of the City Music and the galloping of horses. The streets of the city that lives for Alka, the flagship of UNESCO and Croatian and world intangible heritage, are buzzing.

It all starts on Friday, August 5 at 17:30 with the competition for the 307th Bara. The 307th Čoja will follow on Saturday, August 6, also at 17:30, and on Sunday, August 7, at 16:30, Alkars will fight to win and mark their name in the Alka's long and rich history.

Entrance to the training, as well as to Bara and Čoja, is free. Don't miss the opportunity to be a part of these unique events in the world and participate live in the Sinjska Alka preparations! 

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

July 9, 2022 - Always inextricably linked with different types and genres of musical expressions, Sinj has proudly boasted a truly unique alternative music festival since last year - Nebesa metalFest.

Young Sinj artists Bruno Delonga and Bruno Marković are responsible for the idea and organizational support. Conceived as a festival of an alternative approach to rock, country, punk, metal, and other musical genres, this event at the great location of the Sinj Hippodrome enriches the tourist offer, brings together local and visiting musicians and provides them with a valuable opportunity to perform in public.

The following will perform at the second Nebesa metalFest:

- Sinj folk/black metal band Kosir
- Sinj folk/black metal band Radagast is inspired by Slavic mythology. Josip Cvitković – vocals and bass guitar, Marko Vladović – guitar, Duje Maleš – drums; Bruno Delonga – keyboards.
- Old Night, a doom metal quintet from Rijeka, was founded in 2015. The lineup consists of Matej Hanžek on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Ivan Hanžek and Bojan Frlan on lead guitar and backing vocals, Luka Petrović on bass guitar and backing vocals, and drummer Nikola Jovanović.
- Porko Dio from Sibenik was formed in 2013 - it nurtures death metal, hardcore, and all related intermediate genres. Robert Strunje on vocals, Bruno Dugopoljac on guitar, Filip Dugopoljac on bass guitar and Vice Bujas on drums.
- stoner/doom Achachak consists of Ante Kodžoman better known as Kodžo Nebeska Grizina on vocals, Patrik Zelenika and Luka Gobin on guitars, Lovre Gobin on bass guitar and Mile Mijač AKA Nikola Marinović on drums.
- Zagreb's A Gram Trip stoner/doom band has the honor of opening Nebesa metalFest! 

See you at the Hippodrome on July 9 from 8:30 pm!

To read more about sports in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.

July 8, 2022 - The Sinj Tourist Board announced the 2022 Alka Days and Velika Gospa festivities this summer!

July has arrived and the lively Sinj summer is in the air. The umbrella event of Alka Days and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Velika Gospa) this year again comes with many events with which the ever-hospitable people of Sinj will delight their guests. In addition to the unmissable 307th Alka festivities and Velika Gospa, locals and tourists will enjoy concerts, exhibitions, sports and humanitarian activities, theater performances, book presentations, and various other events. The entire city becomes an open stage with something for everyone's taste.

Let's highlight just a few!

The favorite City Music, without which no celebration is complete, is celebrating 160 years of existence this year. In addition to the concert, an accompanying exhibition will also be opened. Various notes will fly into the Sinj night - several classical concerts by young musicians from Sinj, virtuoso jazz performances at the Kamičak fortress, which is also the backdrop of the Kamičak Ethno Festival, the traditional rock festival SARS, the metal music festival Nebesa metalFest, and the indispensable and always popular klapa singing.

Ivan Alebic

Don't miss the great Sinj village fair and stock up on original traditional products, and at the folklore evening, remember the old times and good customs, and definitely immerse yourself in the historical 1715 Battle of Sinj spectacle, this year with even more striking sound and light effects.

You can see the program below: 

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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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