Sinj
Encyclopedia
Sinj is a town in the continental part of Split-Dalmatia County
, Croatia
. The town itself has a population of 11,448, while the population of the administrative municipality which includes surrounding villages is 24,832 (2011).
Sinj is the center of an area known as Cetinska krajina, a group of settlements situated on a fertile karstic field (Sinjsko polje) through which the river Cetina
passes. Sinj lies between four mountains: Svilaja
, Dinara
, Kamešnica
and Visoka. Those mountains give Sinj its specific submediterranean climate (hotter summers and colder winters).
The town grew around an ancient fortress held by the Ottomans from 16th until the end of 17th century, and the Franciscan
monastery with the church of Our Lady of Sinj , a place of pilgrimage.
The anniversary of the last victory over the Ottoman army in 1715 is celebrated yearly in the beginning of August by Sinjska alka, an equestrian competition in which ceremonially dressed horsemen try to hit a small ring (alka) with their lance while galloping.
). It takes place every year on the first Sunday in August to commemorate the victory over the Turkish army in 1715. The tilters, dressed in the traditional costumes, ride on horseback in full gallop, trying to thrust a ring (alka), hanging from a wire, with a lance. The tilter who scores the highest number of points (punat) is declared victor. Many tourist from Croatia and abroad visit the Tilters Tournament every year.
Split-Dalmatia County
Split-Dalmatia County is the central-southern Dalmatian county in Croatia. The administrative center is Split. The population of the county is 455,242...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
. The town itself has a population of 11,448, while the population of the administrative municipality which includes surrounding villages is 24,832 (2011).
Sinj is the center of an area known as Cetinska krajina, a group of settlements situated on a fertile karstic field (Sinjsko polje) through which the river Cetina
Cetina
Cetina is a river in southern Croatia. It has a length of and its basin covers an area of . Cetina descends from an altitude of 385 m at its source to the sea level when it flows into the Adriatic Sea. It is the most water-rich river in Dalmatia....
passes. Sinj lies between four mountains: Svilaja
Svilaja
Svilaja is a mountain range in Croatia, located in inland of Dalmatian Zagora.It belongs to Dinaric Alps, and it stretches from the town of Sinj northwest to the Petrovo field, approximate 30 km in length....
, Dinara
Dinara
Dinara is a mountain located on the border of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. One of its summits, also called Dinara, is the highest point in Croatia at 1,831 m and a prominence of 728 m.-Etymology:...
, Kamešnica
Kamešnica
Kamešnica is a mountain in the Dinarides at the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia . It is an extension of the Dinara that stretches from the northwest white road pass Vaganj to Buško Blato artificial lake...
and Visoka. Those mountains give Sinj its specific submediterranean climate (hotter summers and colder winters).
The town grew around an ancient fortress held by the Ottomans from 16th until the end of 17th century, and the Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
monastery with the church of Our Lady of Sinj , a place of pilgrimage.
The anniversary of the last victory over the Ottoman army in 1715 is celebrated yearly in the beginning of August by Sinjska alka, an equestrian competition in which ceremonially dressed horsemen try to hit a small ring (alka) with their lance while galloping.
Tourism
Sinj and Cetinska Krajina represent an interesting tourist area, and the major attraction, for which the town is known at home and abroad, is certainly the traditional Tilters Tournament of Sinj (AlkaAlka
The Sinjska alka is a knight tournament which has been held every first Sunday in the month of August in town of Sinj, Croatia since 1715, commemorating the victory over Ottoman Turkish administration...
). It takes place every year on the first Sunday in August to commemorate the victory over the Turkish army in 1715. The tilters, dressed in the traditional costumes, ride on horseback in full gallop, trying to thrust a ring (alka), hanging from a wire, with a lance. The tilter who scores the highest number of points (punat) is declared victor. Many tourist from Croatia and abroad visit the Tilters Tournament every year.