August 4, 2019 - On Sunday, the 304th Sinjska Alka was held at the Alka Racetrack in Sinj. 

The winner of the 304th Sinjska Alka is Frano Ivković from Brnaze, who collected a total of seven hits in three races. In the first race, Ivković hit for one point and nailed the next two in the middle, which led him to the victory. Tin Radanović came in second, just one point behind Ivković. 

Frano Ivković will also be remembered for winning the 300th Sinjska Alka. 

The Sinjska Alka is a traditional knight's tournament commemorating the victory over the Turks in 1715, which takes place on the first Sunday in August. President of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar Kitarović, as well as Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic and Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandić were all in attendance on Sunday. 

More soon...

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Alkar Ante Zorica from Hrvace won the 304th Bara, the first competition of this year's Sinjska Alka festivities.  

Zorica won by eight points, with two hits in the middle and one hit worth two points. The Alkar Duke tied two meters of green cloth to his winning spear, a symbol of victory at the Bara. Zorica also won a bronze plaque for himself and his Alkar boy, and even received a cash prize from the Alkar Knights Society of 15,000 kuna, reports Slobodna Dalmacija on August 2, 2019.

Zorica was born in 1984 and is from the town of Hrvace. By education, he is an administrative lawyer employed by the Red Cross City Society in Sinj as a director. Zorica is an accomplished rider and the third Alkar from his family. He is a trainer at the Gallop Club "Vreba" in Hrvace. He made his debut at the Sinjska Alka in 2005 though he finally held a spear in the competition in 2008.

Zorica is the most celebrated Alkar among the active participants today. He is the winner of the 294th, 296th and 298th Sinjska Alka and the ceremonial Sinjska Alka in Vukovar. In his trophy treasure trove, Zorica had previously won the Bara in 2009. 

The competition for the 304th Bara was held in front of more than 5,000 spectators. The ceremonial lodge included the leaders of the Alkar Knights Society, civil and military authorities and their guests, led by VAD President Dr. Stipe Jukić, Sinj Mayor Kristina Križanac, and Major Dražen Mazalin, Commander of the Engineering Battalion from the barracks of the 12th HV Brigade.

In the Bara competition, the Alkars achieved excellent results in hitting the alka target. In the first and third races, they nailed a total of 22 punts. In the first race, they marked the middle three times, and in the third, only one run missed the smallest alka circle. The second race was fantastic. The Alkars hit a total of 31, nailing five in the middle, four for two points and eight for one point, without a single miss. 

On Saturday, starting at 5:30 pm, the Čoja competition will be held. Before the competition, around 30 historical military units from Croatia and the neighboring countries will parade through the streets of Sinj and the Alka racetrack.

The central Sinjska Alka competition will be held on Sunday at 4:30 pm. 

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July 31, 2019 - On August 3, the day before the celebration of the 304th Sinjska Alka, and on the eve of the Čoje celebration, a march of 28 historic troops from all over the Republic of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy will take place.

This incredible display of historical heritage will include: 

- Honorary Protective Battalion of the Croatian Army
- Kravat Regiment Zagreb
- Bjelovar Border Guards - Husari
- Military Historical Unit Serežani – Županja
- Croatian Brotherhood - Bokelj Navy 809
- Zrinska garda Čakovec
- Turopolje bandiera
- Križevci Women's Guard
- Bakar City Guard 1848
- Hajduk Society of Mijat Tomić - Tomislavgrad (BIH)
- Dubrovnik Muskateers
- Šibenik City Guard
- Vrana Knights - Pakoštane
- Klis Uskoks
- Sartigla – Oristano (ITA)
- Streličari Ballestra -San Sepolcro (ITA)
- Kumpanjija – Smokvica (Korčula)
- Kumpanjija - Blato (Korčula)
- City Guard Požega
- Samobor National Guard.
-  Karlovac Guard
- 10. Company Ivanić Grad
- Varaždin Civil Guard
- Poljica prince – Society Poljica „sv.Jure“ – Priko (Omiš)
- Association „sv.Klement“ Sitno
- Slavonian Queen „Ljelje“ – Gorjanci (Đakovo)
- Honorary Protective Battalion of the Croatian Army
- Alkaruše – Sinj Majorettes

The program lasts all day. From 11 am, traditional and military customs will be performed by the Croatian Brotherhood - Bokelj Navy 809, including the Bokelj Round in honor of the Miraculous Lady Sinj, Honorary Guard Battalion of the HV and archers from San Sepolcro, accompanied by the City Music of Sinj and the Sinj Majorettes “Alkaruše”. In the afternoon, the entire procession passes through the city and the Alkar racetrack from 4:30 pm.

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In the evening portion of the program, as part of the 10th Sinj Village Fair, from 8:30 pm on Dr. Franjo Tudjman Square, traditional dances and songs will be performed by Kumpanjija from Smokvica - Tanac, Slavonian Queen Ljelje, and Kumpanjija from Blato - Dance of Colors. Admission is free! 

July 29, 2019 - In the mass of industrial production and fast food - take a moment to refresh yourself in the oasis of unique and traditional products. Visit the 10th Sinj Village Fair from 2 to 3 August 2019, organized by the Tourist Board of Sinj at the Franjo Tuđman Square!

More than 30 exhibitors from Split, Kaštela, Marina, Vrgorac, Zagorje and the Cetina region will present and offer a variety of products - from decorations and handicrafts to gourmet delicacies and products from Croatian villages and islands. To preserve ancient customs, the promotion of traditional pottery from Potravlje will be featured as part of the fair. Visitors will have an opportunity to see how the clay pots are made under the hands of master Ivan Knežović. The Ministry of Culture has nominated this traditional craft for UNESCO protection, and the Tourist Board, sponsored by the Ministry, annually organizes an exceptionally well-received educational workshop. It is also worth mentioning the almost forgotten skill of crafting opanak footwear, which were the only shoes our old men knew, which were used faithfully for decades (Ljilja Vojković).

Visitors can also try their hand at making these traditional shoes and thus have a precious opportunity to get closer and connect with the customs of our region through native products and traditional crafts.

Numerous tastings of local products and dishes will be organized within the fair (uštipak, arambaša). Besides the exhibition and wine and food area, visitors will enjoy an entertainment program featuring the concert of the KOPITO group, as well as numerous associations and cultural-arts companies. Namely, visitors will enjoy performances of the Sinj Majorettes, KUD Cetina, KUD Krenica from Gala, KUD Vrilo, Association for the preservation of the heritage of the Cetina region, URIG from Otok, O.Š. Trilj, Kumpanija from Smokvica and Kumpanija from Blato. 

For the first time, the Queen of Gorjani - Djakovo will arrive! The Slavonian Queen will perform a sword dance, which is connected to the traditional culture of northern Croatia. The Spring Parade of the Slavonian Queen (Ljelja) was entered as Croatian cultural heritage in 1966, in 2007 it was recognized as immaterial world heritage, and in 2009 it was added to UNESCO's list of non-material world heritage in Europe.

In addition to this dance, other traditional folk dances will be performed, as well as classic folk songs. 

By organizing the Sinj Village Fair, the Sinj Tourist Board allows interested citizens and visitors of Sinj to taste and buy high-quality traditional local products that are difficult to find for consumers because most of them are not available in stores. At the same time, small and medium-sized farms from the rural areas of Sinj and its surroundings, as well as other parts of Croatia, can promote and sell their products.

After last year’s success, this year even more exhibitors are expected from all over Croatia, and at least 20% of them are local producers. Therefore, as an organizer, the Sinj Tourist Board is obliged to provide more space and more tables for exhibitors, so that they can ensure the highest quality and fulfill the expectations of all participants.

We can hardly wait for that August Sunday morning when the bells wake us for yet another Sinjska Alka - and this year it is the 304th!

More than halfway into July, it's safe to say that the promising Alkars have done a fair bit of intense preparations for the traditional event. Namely, after extensive training at the Sinj hippodrome and the plains of the Sinj field, the Alkars moved to the racecourse in mid-July, on Monday to Friday, from 18:00 to 20:00. 

And the best part? You have the chance to witness the Alkars in action!

As we inch closer to August and the Alka celebration, the homes in Sinj change their rhythm to follow the horse’s gallops, pulsating the streets of the town which lives for the Alka - an event that is also part of the immaterial heritage of UNESCO, Croatia, and the world. 

It all begins on Friday 2 August at 5:30 pm with the 304th Bara competition. On Saturday, 3 August is the Čoja, also at 17:30, and on Sunday, 4 August at 4:30 pm, the Alkars fight in the main competition for their place in the long and rich history of the event. 

The entrance fee to watch the training, as well as the Bara Čoja, is free. 

Do not miss the opportunity to be part of these unique events!

July 18, 2019 - Every day there is an increasing number of foreign and Croatian tourists in Sinj. Like every year, this will culminate at the time of the Alka and Velika Gospa celebration when Sinj expects hundreds of thousands of guests. It is, therefore, essential to provide visitors with a sense of welcome and timely information.

Thus, in order to better inform all guests in the area, the Sinj Tourist Board will organize a free professional guided tour from 18 July (Thursday) at 19:00 and every following Thursday in cooperation with the Association of Tourist Guides. It is intended for anyone who wants to learn more about the city of Sinj and its rich cultural and historical heritage, traditionally nurtured through its two symbols - the Sinjska Alka and Velika Gospa. 

Ivan Alebić

The starting point for these free guided tours is the Alka Courtyard (in front of the Sinjska Alka Museum) on Put Petrovca 12.

The Sinj Tourist Board invites all landlords of private accommodation and caterers to offer these free guided tours of Sinj to their guests. 

July 18, 2019 - The Split-Dalmatia County Association of Juvenile Volunteers of the Homeland War organizes the jubilee 10th memorial regatta down the Cetina river. 

Namely, on Sunday, July 21, the 10th Cetina Memorial Regatta will be held, dedicated to the killed and dead defenders of the Cetina region, in memory of August 25, 1991, when Cetina volunteers attacked the barracks of the former JNA.

The regatta will gather many participants who want to join this unique event.

The start of the regatta is scheduled for 2 pm at Panj in the municipality of Hrvace. The regatta passes through the beautiful Cetina, under the bridges of Panj and Han, Obrovac Sinjski, and the finish line is in the village of Gala (Buk), the municipality of Otok, where the scheduled arrival is about 5 pm.

The organizers ask that the regatta participants are prepared for the event with the appropriate clothing, footwear, and sun protection.

The organizers will provide a meal (military beans) for all participants in the regatta, and everyone is invited to come in as big numbers as possible! 

All information about the Jubilee Memorial Regatta can be found by calling Marija Vujević Vegija at 098 920 8319.

July 13, 2019 - A day of unity, pride, and happiness: Let’s remember July 16, 2018, and Croatia’s silver medal success at the World Cup in Russia one year later. 

One of the most important passions in the world - football - united Croatia one year ago when our World Cup finalists came back from Russia for an unforgettable celebration. Unity, pride, and happiness are just some of the emotions they could not resist. More than half a million people welcomed the Croatia national team in Zagreb alone, and all of Croatia, wrapped in red and white checkers, screamed the same word, "Indescribable!”

At the initiative of coach Zlatko Dalić’s "Organizers Without Boundaries", the Tourist Board of Vukovar-Srijem County and Vukovar and the City of Vukovar invite all of Croatia to recall these spectacular moments that filled our hearts and souls just one year ago. Ivan Rakitić and Lovre Kalinić also extended the invitation to fans, and the action has so far been supported by HRT, Sportske Novosti, and the Croatian national tourism board.

After the successful 2nd festival SVI zaJEDNO HRVATSKO NAJ, to continue this positive story and encourage the community, the organizers invite all of Croatia to come together to mark this significant anniversary.

In Vukovar, the Day of Unity, Pride, and Happiness will be marked in the Park-Forest Adici, where visitors can play bubble football. 

Sinj, a city proud of their boy with a football, Gaja Laberia, and with tangible archaeological evidence that the Cetina region is the birth of football, will celebrate this day in the thrilling fans' atmosphere at the King Tomislav Square (Pijaca), where music groups Uzbuna, Ozon, Arni Acoustic will perform and members of the PKD Gaj Labéri association will play a game between the Delmatae and Romans. 

Visitors will also enjoy the complimentary local delicacies - Sinj uštipak and Ožujsko! 

All Croatian citizens, as well as tourists, are invited to swarm the streets in Croatian jerseys and fan gear on 16 July this year, from 8 pm to 11 pm. It is an excellent opportunity for Croatian and foreign guests to show that Croatia is genuinely full of life and how proud we are that our athletes' achievements have contributed, among other things, to the international image of Croatia as a small but hugely successful sports nation.

July 9, 2019 - The Sinj Tourist Board organizes the 10th 'Sinj Village Fair' as an event that encompasses the exhibition, tasting, and sale of traditional Croatian products: food, drinks, and souvenirs. 

The Sinj Village Fair will be held as part of the Alkar celebrations, on August 2 and 3, 2019. Thus, the fair will take place in August when Sinj becomes the center of cultural, religious, and tourist events in Split-Dalmatia County and beyond.

Through the organization of the event, the Tourist Board of Sinj gives the interested citizens and visitors of Sinj a chance to taste and buy local and traditional products that are most difficult for consumers to find since they are not readily available for sale. At the same time, small and medium-sized farms from the rural area of Sinj and its surrounding area and other parts of Croatia will be given an opportunity to promote and sell their products.

After last year’s exceptional attendance, even more exhibitors are expected this year. Therefore, the organizers will provide a larger space and a greater number of exhibition tables, as they expect participants from all parts of Croatia and the neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina, of which at least 40% of local producers will be present.

This fair is important for promoting the rich tourist offer and cultural heritage, as well as the agricultural producers and souvenir manufacturers, all aiming to develop the tourism, culture, and economy of the city. 

In this way, all visitors will have the opportunity to celebrate the Sinj Alka and Velika Gospa with the quality products of Croatian villages and give their contribution to the Sinj economy and the promotion of tourism.

Application forms can be submitted via e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone 021 / 826-352 or in person at the Sinj Tourist Board office at Put Petrovac 12, 21230 Sinj.

The application must include the name and surname of the exhibitor, i.e., the name of the association, craft, OPG and the like, the contact number and the number of days for which the exhibitor is applying.

Due to the limited number of exhibitors, applications will be received by July 31 until 12 pm or up to capacity.

July 2, 2019 - Sinj is witnessing an increasing number of arrivals of foreign and domestic tourists in their town every day.

Like every year, this number culminates during the Alka and Velika Gospa celebrations, when hundreds of thousands of guests are expected. It is therefore essential to provide the guests of Sinj a sense of welcome and timely information.

To better inform tourists who are coming to Sinj, the Tourist Board of Sinj opened the Tourist Information Center (TIC) on July 1 on Ul. Alkarsko trkalište. The center is located in a wooden house where informants will share promotional material and notify tourists about the tourist offer of Sinj and its surrounding area.

Ivan Alebić

In addition to providing information in direct contact with visitors, the tourist center also collects and updates feedback from tourists who stayed in Sinj all to improve the current tourist offer and infrastructure in the city.

The Tourist Information Center will be open from Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, and in high season (August) every day from 10:00 to 20:00.