January 16, 2022 - A free tour of Sinj was organized on Saturday, January 15, as part of the 'Get to Know Your Country' project by the Croatian Tourist Guides Association.

On Saturday, January 15, as part of the 'Get to Know Your Country' project organized by the Croatian Tourist Guides Association, and on the International Recognition Day of the Republic of Croatia, the Sinj Tourist Board organized a free tour of Sinj, in cooperation with the Sinj Tourist Guides Association "Osinium," the Sinjska Alka Museum, the Cetina Region Museum, and the Sikirica Gallery.

On this occasion, many interested citizens of Sinj and the Cetina region, as well as visitors from Kaštela, Klis, Knin, Split, and Solin, visited the Cetina Region Museum where they explored the permanent exhibition "Statue of the Bible - the body of language from all continents" by Siniša Vuković, Sikirica Gallery and the exhibition of photographs "Angels" by Ivo Pervan, and the famous Sinjska Alka Museum, all with the expert guidance of Ivan Vuleta, tourist guide and Danijela Banović Petričević, curator of the Cetina Region Museum.

They helped participants learn more about the knightly city of Sinj, prominent people who influenced its development, numerous public sculptures, the Franciscan Classical Gymnasium - the first gymnasium in southern Croatia with Croatian as the language of instruction, Grad Fortress, the Church of Our Lady of Sinj - the largest southern Croatian Marian shrine, which includes the Image of the Miraculous Lady of Sinj, the votive church at the Grad Fortress, the miraculous defense of the city of Sinj in 1715 and the significance of the Sinj Alka, a knight's game under UNESCO protection.

All participants received a 2022 calendar to remember the day from local and world-famous designer Boris Ljubičić. 

For more on Inland Dalmatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

December 23, 2021 - Organized by members of the St. Jakov Mountaineering Society Speleo section from Bitelić and the HGSS Sinj branch, after last year's first Christmas tree decoration in the Krstača pit on Vrdovo, in accordance with tradition, a unique Christmas tree was decorated in the Vranjača pit in the Kamešnica area, about 50 meters deep, on Saturday, December 19. 

The Dinaric area is full of sinkholes, hidden pits, and caves, which unfortunately are often targeted by irresponsible individuals, and instead of serving a natural purpose, they are often turned into illegal dumps of various types of waste. This speleological section, in cooperation with numerous colleagues from all over Croatia, organized several ecological actions to clean the pits throughout the year and preserve them.

With the anticipation of Christmas, members of the St. Jakov Bitelić speleo section and the HGSS branch office in Sinj contributed to this year's Christmas mood and decorated the Christmas tree in a pit about 50 meters deep, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and successful New Year.

You can watch the video below:

December 20, 2021 - A bible exhibition in Sinj will enhance this year's Advent with three hundred Bibles in more than 100 languages ​​and scripts. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
She was in the beginning with God.
Everything became after her
and without it nothing came of it. (Jn 1: 1-4)

Another exceptional event enhances the Sinj Advent program - the exhibition Statue of the Bible - the body of languages from all continents by the writer and publicist Siniša Vuković, who has collected the Bible in different languages for 20 years. The author of the exhibition came up with the idea of collecting Bibles spontaneously when he was on a pilgrimage to Rome in 1997, where he bought a Bible in Hebrew, and theologian friends gave him a copy in Spanish. The unusual hobby has grown into a desirable and valuable collection. Siniša Vuković is the owner of almost all editions of the Bible in Croatian - among the collected Bibles are invaluable examples such as Bartol Kašić (the oldest Croatian translation of the Bible from 1630 published only in 2000) and reprint of the first published edition of the Holy Scriptures of Matija Petar Katančić from 1831. A skilled dialectologist and guardian of Brač's heritage, Vuković even translated some parts into the peasant Chakavian language.

This exhibition brings valuable treasures of three hundred Bibles in more than 100 languages ​​and scripts received by the author from all over the world - from the ancient languages ​​in which the Bible was either written or transmitted: Hebrew, Ancient Greek, and Latin. Bibles from all European countries are represented, from Iceland and the Faroe Islands to Malta, Portugal to Ukraine, Turkey, Azerbaijan to Syrian Peshitta, and Persian in Urdu. Almost all European languages ​​are represented, and several editions are in Cyrillic. In addition, bibles in unusual and exotic languages ​​and scripts in the Philippines and Japan, China and South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia will be on display, as well as more from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Georgia, Armenia, Saudi Arabia, to several African languages ​​in Algeria and Nigeria (Yoruba, Efik, Igbo) and local languages ​​from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Somalia and even the Maori Bible from New Zealand.

The exhibition's opening is on December 20 at 7 pm at the Cetina Region Museum and can be visited until January 7, 2022. The exhibition is organized by the City of Sinj, the Sinj Tourist Board, the Franciscan Monastery of Our Lady of Sinj, and the Cetina Region Museum. 

To read more about Inland Dalmatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

December 16, 2021 - In the sweet anticipation of Christmas, Sinj's Sikirica Gallery is preparing an exceptional exhibition of photographs: Angels by Split photographer Ivo Pervan.

This Advent in Sinj, visitors will enjoy the beautiful light of these supernatural beings.

According to the photographer: "Photography is the universal language of our planet."

Pervan's angels will truly speak to visitors in the angelic language of divine messengers, and in this pre-holiday time, bring the much-desired peace that will be easily carried from heaven by their light wings.

The sculptures and images of angels shown in these photographs are done in different materials and techniques and from different stylistic periods. We will see depictions of angels from Croatian and European cathedrals, the famous Chagall angel, the angel of the Croatian painter Ivan Ranger and the oldest from the church of St. Sophia from the time before the church schism.

The Angels exhibition was organized by the association Prokultura from Split, the Sinj Tourist Board, and the City of Sinj, in cooperation with KUS and the Sikirica Gallery. The opening is on December 17 at 6 pm, and you can visit it until January 31, 2022. Musicians Mislav Norac and Mirna Alfirević will complete the evening with their magical musical notes.

Ivo Pervan was born in 1947 in Split. He started working in photography in high school, and after graduation, he continued to work as a freelance photographer. Since the 1990s, he has been cooperating with travel agencies and communities, and thanks to his exceptional talent, he has brought Croatia a number of international awards for posters with his photographs. He works tirelessly to preserve and promote Croatian cultural heritage and history.

The exhibition will take place in accordance with the recommendations of the Civil Protection Headquarters and the applicable measures of the CNIPH. 

To read more about Inland Dalmatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

November 27, 2021 - The 2021 Sinj Advent program is here, with many festive things to enjoy this year, from an ice skating rink to gramophone records fair! 

The sweet anticipation of Christmas is slowly approaching. Socializing with the enticing aromas of mulled wine and delicious snacks guarantees a good time for all those who want to feel the Christmas magic through a handful of fun and unique events in a festive atmosphere.

Many different events have been prepared for the youngest. They even have their own Children's Week called "Days of Joy, Games, and Peace" organized by the association Whole Life, which begins on the feast of St. Nicholas and lasts until the feast of St. Lucia. The Cetina Region Museum brings an edition of an exciting publication, and on the eve of St. Lucia, the customs and traditions associated with its feast. After polishing their boots well, the little ones will enjoy (but also perform) plays, music and dance performances, choir performances! The Sinj Tourist Board, organized by the Association Prokultura and in cooperation with the City of Sinj, the Sikirica Gallery, and the Cultural and Artistic Center, is setting up an exhibition of photographs "Angels" by the famous photographer Ivo Pervan.

Numerous valuable and active associations from Sinj and Cetina region have taken several exciting events and actions. Visitors will enjoy concerts by Adastra, Piroman, Vocal Ensemble Jedinstvo, Ana Malovan, Sinj City Music and Mixed Choir, KUD Osinium, Vrilo, and in Disk pod Zvijezda, and the Sinj Majorettes Christmas show. KUD Cetina will take us back in time with its staging of Christmas Eve in the Cetina region, Sinj ferali will delight with an invitation to an evening of poetry and prose with music, and Sinj Folk Theater will contribute to the festive atmosphere with performances. Associations SRMA and Sinjski ferali will decorate the city. The commendable humanitarian action Santa's Equestrian Caravan will delight many children in this most magical time. On the eve of the Advent candle lighting, pilgrimages will be organized along the Path to Our Lady of Sinj from Dugopolje, Dicmo to Sinj. After prayers and blessings, pilgrims will join in the Advent candle lighting. There will be a gramophone records fair for the first time and, after many years, a skating rink!

The New Year's Eve celebration will begin with style: the youngest will be given a children's New Year's Eve organized by Sinj ferali, followed by Sinj culinary specialties, and finally, everyone will welcome the New Year.

The Sinj Advent is organized by the City of Sinj, the Sinj Tourist Board, the Shrine of Our Miraculous Lady of Sinj, and numerous institutions and associations from the Sinj area.

The Advent program in Sinj will take place following the recommendations of the Civil Protection Headquarters and the current measures of the CNIPH.

For more on Inland Dalmatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

November 25, 2021 - The Alka Knights Society will attend a gala lunch with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Esplanade in Zagreb!

Hajduk is not the only association from Dalmatia that received an invitation to a gala lunch with French President Emmanuel Macron. Representatives of the Alka Knights Society received an invitation on Wednesday to join the French president at the Esplanade table in Zagreb! 

"We are extremely honored by the invitation, and we will gladly respond. As urgent obligations personally prevented me, I decided that Dr. Ivan Nasić, secretary of the Alka Knights Society, would go to the festive lunch. In the ceremonial uniform, President Macron would be greeted by Alkar Andrija Hrgović and Alkar boy Ivan Vučković. We hope to welcome President Macron's birthday in France as well," the president of the Alka Knights Society, Dr. Stipe Jukić, said for Slobodna Dalmacija. 

Jukić's hope of meeting with President Macron in France is about the expected presentation of the Sinj Alka in Versailles. The Alka's first visit to France was agreed in detail before the Croatian presidency of the EU, as part of Croatia's cultural and historical presentation to Europe. In addition to the ceremonial parade of the entire Alka procession in the area of the historic French castle, the Alkars were to demonstrate the course of their knightly game.

Unfortunately, this did not happen due to epidemiological measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, as the French hosts liked the idea, the invitation remained open as soon as the conditions were created. In Sinj, they reckon that if the pandemic subsides, the Alkars could parade through Versailles in the spring of next year, and then, they believe, they would undoubtedly be able to greet the main host, President Macron.

"The Alka Knights Society was founded in 1715, and today it acts as an association of citizens.

The main activity of the Society is to organize the Alka Tournament of Sinj. A great number of volunteers care about the work of the Society (Assembly, Governing Board, Supervisory Board, Court of Honour). The members of the Society are exclusively of local origin. The Alka Knights Society is the owner of two trading companies – Alka marketing d.o.o. and Alkarska ergela d.o.o.

In 1979 the Alka Knights Society collection of uniforms, equipment and weapons was declared a monument of the highest category. In 2007 the Alka of Sinj was entered in the Register of Croatian Cultural Monuments, and on 16th of November, 2010 it was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity," reads the Alka website.

For more on Inland Dalmatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

October 26, 2021 - Traditional Potravlje pottery was again in the spotlight in Sinj thanks to an educational workshop led by Ivan Knezović.

On Friday, October 21, 2021, the Sinj Tourist Board, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, the Museum of Cetina Krajina - Sinj, and the City of Sinj, organized two educational workshops for children and adults about traditional hand wheel pottery from Potravlje.

Željko Zrnčić

After last year's break, and due to increased interest, for the sixth time, several workshops were organized. As in previous years, the workshop for children was held in cooperation with the kindergarten "Bili Cvitak" and Mrs. Ana Glavinović, who assisted Ivan Knezović in making objects from clay. At the end of the workshop, the proud little participants took their handicrafts with them to decorate the premises of the kindergarten. This year, the students of the 4th grade of the Technical and Industrial School of Ruđer Bošković, who participated in the school project Research of Cultural Heritage under the mentorship of Professor Branimir Romac, also joined the workshops.

Željko Zrnčić

Ivan Knezović, who regularly leads these educational workshops, is also among the last to engage in this traditional craft. Traditional hand pottery from Potravlje has had the status of an intangible cultural property since 2013. Accordingly, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia nominated it for the protection of UNESCO.

Željko Zrnčić

It is imperative to preserve this segment of traditional culture and continue living by passing it on to younger generations. With this goal in mind, the Sinj Tourist Board, with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia, holds workshops on Traditional hand pottery from Potravlje. Due to the large number of participants who wanted to try to make valuable objects and successfully implement all epidemiological measures, the workshops were held from 16:00 to 20:30.

Željko Zrnčić

In the introductory part, Danijela Petričević Banović, curator of the Museum of the Cetina Region in Sinj, gave an interesting and instructive lecture on traditional pottery. This was followed by a presentation and guidance of Ivan Knezović through the stages of preparation and processing of clay to the final pottery. Anyone who expressed a desire and interest could participate in making pottery under his expert guidance. Workshop participants received unique souvenirs personally made by the leader, Ivan Knezović, and the youngest participants received small gifts and gingerbread as souvenirs.

In addition to these workshops, in the musical part of the evening, members of the Association for the Preservation of Heritage of the Cetina Region and KUD Dicmo performed traditional melodies of ojkavica: male and female rera, which is also on the list of intangible heritage of the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia.

Željko Zrnčić

You can see the production process and scenes from the workshop below:

This workshop is co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia. The Sinj Tourist Board genuinely thanked everyone who helped them in the realization of this project.

October 22, 2022 - The Sinj Tourist Board is the Plautilla international cultural tourism award winner!

This is an award for a cultural tourism product characterized by quality and creative interpretation of cultural and historical heritage. In this case, the plaque was awarded to Sinj in the Best Cultural Tourism Product for the "1715 Battle of Sinj" play.

The Sinj Tourist Board was awarded for the best cultural tourism product as part of the 7th International Congress of Historic Cities, organized by the Solin Tourist Board, Hotel President Solin, and the City of Solin, held from October 19 to 22, 2021, at the Hotel President in Solin, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Media, Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board, Split-Dalmatia County, Croatian Association of Historic Towns, Public Institutions of Culture Zvonimir, Split Tourist Board, Split City Museum, Split Archaeological Museum and Klis Municipality.

Under the motto "Meet, share and build," this congress aims at critical stakeholders in managing historic cities, from local governments, tourist boards, and representatives of cultural institutions to travel agencies and educational institutions. The congress program consists of lectures and panel discussions, emphasizing meetings, exchanging experiences, and developing new tourist products in the historic cities of Croatia and abroad. Therefore, the Sinj Tourist Board is honored because, among many institutions and other candidates, the "1715 Battle of Sinj" play won in the Best Cultural Tourism Product category.

It should be noted that the Sinj Tourist Board has already won the bronze plaque for the Best Cultural Tourism Product for their traditional Potravlje handmade pottery workshop.

"We thank our colleagues from Solin as well as the organizing committee that recognized and rewarded our work. Finally, we thank everyone who contributed to the continuity of the 1715 Battle of Sinj play, and we dedicate the award to our defenders, to whom the play is inspired and dedicated," said the Sinj Tourist Board.

The award was accepted at the ceremony by Miro Bulj, President of the Sinj Tourist Board. 

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

October 20, 2021 - The Sinj Tourist Board will host a traditional Potravlje hand pottery workshop on October 22. 

After a series of successful and well-attended workshops, the Sinj Tourist Board, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia and in cooperation with the Cetina Region Museum in Sinj, organizes an educational workshop about traditional pottery from Potravlje after last year's break due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

This year's workshop will be held on Friday, October 22 at 18:00 in the Cetina Region Museum in Sinj. In the introductory part of this educational workshop, participants will hear a fascinating lecture by the museologists who will introduce pottery and its role in developing cultures and civilizations. The workshop leader, Mr. Ivan Knezović, one of the last masters of this traditional craft, will present how this earthenware is made. The participants of the workshop, if they wish, will be able to try their hand at making clay pots with the professional help of master Knezović.

It should be noted that the beginnings of hand pottery date back to the 4th century BC and that the village of Potravlje is its cradle. Namely, the century-old tradition of making earthenware until the Second World War was practiced by about fifty families in the villages of the Cetina region and Potravlje by about twenty of them. In 1774, the famous Italian travel writer Alberto Fortis claimed that Potravlje's rough pots were more durable than those from his homeland.

This was the time when households used various earthenware pots, copper for cooking milk or for preparing turkey - rare corn polenta, jars for holding butter and sour milk, pots for storing wine, grain, utensils for barbecue, peka - bell-shaped lids that covered the dough for bread or some other dish on the open hearth, pjati - plates for serving dishes, bowls (shallow bowls), and drinking jugs. Each vessel had a name according to its purpose (copper mlikarica, purarica, dubočica). Today, in addition to some traditional dishes, those of new shapes and purposes are made, such as amphorae (for tourist sale), flower pots - pitari, and various miniature forms of traditional dishes offered as souvenirs.

Traditional hand pottery from Potravlje is an intangible cultural asset of the Republic of Croatia. Therefore, the workshops will be held following the recommendations and valid measures of the CNIPH and the Civil Protection Headquarters.

The Sinj Tourist Board has prepared souvenirs for all participants, which will be distributed at the end of the workshop.

All those interested can send their applications to e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or apply by calling 021 / 826-352 by Friday, October 22 at noon.

Participation in the workshop is free, and the number of participants is limited.

October 8, 2021 - Tastes of Europe - Dalmatia will air at the end of November on the Austrian national television on the television channel ORF2.

As part of the ongoing tourist promotion, the Croatian National Tourist Board and the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board, in cooperation with local tourist boards, welcomed the ORF Austria television team in Inland Dalmatia. 

Namely, due to the expressed interest of the ORF television team, Lojze Weiser, ORF advisor and associate, Florian Gebauer, director with associates accompanied by Branimir Tončinić, Director of the CNTB Representation in Austria, arrived in Croatia as part of a ten-day program filmed in Split-Dalmatia and Dubrovnik-Neretva counties. 

The rich gastronomic, cultural, historical, and natural heritage, based on the unique traditional cuisine, the climate from which it originated, as well as stories and customs related to it, will be broadcast on the TV show "Tastes of Europe - Dalmatia “.

The Austrian television crew stayed in Sinj for three days and filmed episodes in the area of ​​Obrovac Sinjski - Han, the significant landscape of Rumin, Bitelić, Potravlje, Karakašica, and in the town of Sinj.

As the show is based on traditional cuisine and customs, the ORF team filmed the almost forgotten, and extremely healthy desserts kotonjada (quince cheese) in the family home of sisters Jadranka and Dubravka Milun, then the traditional dishes in the beautiful area of ​​the Milardović family mill in Obrovac Sinjski - Han. Here, the members of KUD Cetina prepared Sinj arambaše, tripe (šiša), and 'peka' bread under the baking bell. OPG Edo Crljen (next to the family mill Bilobrk) prepared a traditional snack with prosciutto, cheese, and fried bread.

Zoran Markulin from Rumin instructed them in the secrets of pastoral vocation, and Ivan Knezović in Potravlje in the process of making traditional pottery with the help of a handwheel. Footage of preparing cheese from a cheesecloth was filmed in Bitelić with Ljubo Bulović's family, and in Karakašica, the family of Marija Cvitković presented the folk costume of the Cetina region, which Mrs. Marija Cvitković faithfully collects and keeps.

Cheese from a cheesecloth and Sinj arambaše, as well as the traditional handwheel pottery from Potravlje, are three intangible cultural assets of the Republic of Croatia.

The journalists were delighted and surprised by the potential of Inland Dalmatia. The episode will be broadcast at the end of November on the Austrian national television on the television channel ORF2.

The Sinj Tourist Board would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support and successful cooperation.

For more on Inland Dalmatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.