Sinj i Kroatien - bland riddare och Unesco kulturarv

Sinj is a small town in Dalmatia, inland Croatia. Just a short detour from the popular coastal town of Split, you'll see a different side of Croatia, with beautiful scenery, delicious home cooking, dramatic history and several Unesco heritage sites.

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Sinj in Croatia

We visited Sinj as an excursion from Split, on the occasion of the Golden Pen Media Awards 2022. We have travelled a lot in Croatia before, but like many others we have mainly experienced the coast. Therefore, it was really interesting to come to Sinj in inland Croatia.

Sinj is located in the Dalmatian hinterland, about 20 miles north of Split.

Alka - Sinj's equestrian tournament

If there's one thing the town of Sinj is really famous for, it's the "Alka" equestrian tournament that attracts lots of visitors every year on the first weekend of August.

At the centre of the knights' tournament is the iron circle 'alka' - with an inner small circle and an outer larger circle divided into three parts. The inner circle is worth three points when hit with the lance, the upper field two points, and the lower fields one point each. The winner of the Alka is the one who wins the most points in three races.

The ceremony around Alka lasts for three days. The Sunday begins with a solemn procession, when the riders ride in a special order, dressed in authentic 18th century knightly clothes on beautifully decorated horses. To take part in the competition you must be born in the Cetinska Krajina region.

Alkariddare i Sinj — Alka riders who welcomed us in Sinj

The knight's tournament in Alka originated at a time when knight's tournaments were common throughout Europe. Most have long since fallen into oblivion, but in Sinj the tradition has been kept alive and is now protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Sinjska Alka Museum

Of course, the most exciting time to visit Sinj must be during the vibrant first weekend of August, when crowds fill the streets and it's tournament time.

If, like us, you visit Sinj at a different time of year, you can visit the "Sinjska Alka Museum" to learn more about the tradition. This is a surprisingly nice, and also interactive, museum with information in English.

The old fortress

The remains of the old fortress in Sinj, or Old Town as it is also known, sit on a hill and whisper the stories that have been told here. The fortress once served as a defence against Turkish invaders.

At the centre of the fortress was the Church of St Michael, where the Franciscans of Rama placed the precious and miraculous image of the Virgin Mary, which was later moved to the Church of Our Lady built at the foot of the mountain.

Today you can see the remains of the fortress in the form of collapsed walls. At the top is a small church from 1887 and a bronze statue of the Madonna from 2008.

As we were here with other journalists, on the occasion of the Golden Pen Media Awards, we were lucky enough to be offered drinks at the top. What was even more interesting was that we got to listen to traditional singing.

Clapping - an intangible Unesco cultural heritage site

Klapa, or klapa singing, is a traditional form of a capella singing from Dalmatia in southern Croatia. The tradition was added to UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012. We listened to a few different variations, performed by the men separately and the women separately. Interesting!

Crossroads in Sinj

At the lower part of the hill you will also find the "Way of the Cross" - a path lined with statues of various religious motifs, made by prominent Croatian sculptors. A nice walk!

The springtime church in Sinj - with the miraculous Madonna

In the main square of Sinj, you can visit the Church "Crkva Gospe Sinjske", or the "Church of the Miraculous Madonna of Sinj" as it is called in English. The church was built in 1699-1712 and has retained its original appearance, although it has been damaged by both earthquakes and wars.

The main attraction of the church is the image of the miraculous Madonna of Sinj. The work was made by an unknown painter in the 15th or 16th century and came here from Rama, with the people expelled by the Turks.

Vårfrukyrkan i Sinj — Photo: Croatian Tourist Board / Damir Fabijanić

Legend has it that in 1715 Sinj was liberated once and for all by the Turks, for which the Madonna is thanked. As a sign of gratitude, in 1716 the people of Sinj crowned the image with a golden crown with the inscription IN PERPETUUM CORONATA TRIUMPHAT - ANNO MDCCXV (Triumph in eternal crown - year 1715).

Madonnan i Sinj — The Madonna of Sinj with her golden crown, photo: Visit Sinj

Restaurant Kod Frane in Ovrlja

We had a late lunch at the Kod Frane restaurant in Ovrlja, which is about a mile east of Sinj. The environment here is wonderfully green and beautiful, and the restaurant is right next to a small stream.

The restaurant serves hearty and well-prepared Croatian home cooking. It was definitely not a light lunch, but it was absolutely delicious.

We started with cold cuts, cheeses and the fried bread 'uštipci'. Then we continued with the local dish "arambaši" - minced meat and onions wrapped in cabbage - which was served together with rimmed meat and mashed potatoes. So incredibly tender and delicious!

But the meal was not over yet! Now it was time for a traditional "peka", with veal, vegetables and potatoes. This was also very good!

Now we were full, but since the dessert (pancakes with ice cream and cherries) was so good, we couldn't resist eating some of it too. The nice cakes from Sinj, however, we snuck into the handbag and took with ...

More to see and do in Sinj

Although Sinj is a relatively small town, there is a lot of history here. For example, opposite the Church of Our Lady, you can check out the Kamičak, a star-shaped fort dating back to 1712. You can also walk around the town and discover various sights such as monuments, fountains, historic bridges and palaces.

You will also find a few more museums in the city: the Museum of the Cetinska Krajina Region and the Archaeological Collection of the Sinj Franciscan Monastery. In addition, the area offers outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling and horse riding, as well as canoeing on the Cetina River.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

From Sinj it's not far to the stunning city of Split, where you can stroll around the historic remains of Diocletian's Palace. Other places to discover nearby include beautiful Trogir and cosy Omiš. Or why not visit lovely islands like Brač, Hvar or Vis?

READ MORE: 23 things to see and do in Split
READ MORE: Omiš in Croatia - the city of pirates
READ MORE: Holidays on the island of Brač in Croatia
READ MORE: The island of Hvar in Croatia - a nice holiday island
READ MORE: Trogir in Croatia - guide with tips on attractions

Facts about Sinj in Croatia

Region: Cetinska Krajina Region
County: Split-Dalmatia County
Country: Croatia
Residents: About 25 000 (2001)
Read more: You can find more information at the town's visitor site.

Travel to Sinj

Car/caravan: Driving from Split to Sinj takes about 35 minutes.
Bus: Buses run from Split to Sinj.

8 Comments

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Annar Aas says:

Hi was there in the 80s by bus. Would wish that we had as good gaider as you. Absolutely wonderful to follow you, good text and nice pictures. You are really professional. I visited Omis three years in a row with my family... A wonderful place.

31 May 2022 - 8:51

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  How nice that you have been here! And thank you very much, we are so happy for your nice words! It feels good to write when you hear things like this! Wishing you a continued nice week!
  
  31 May 2022 - 18:42
  
Ann says:

How exciting, that definitely sounds like a place I would appreciate!

31 May 2022 - 14:34

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, an interesting place! I myself would like to come back when it's time for a knight's tournament 🙂.
  
  31 May 2022 - 18:42
  
bmlarstravellingblog says:

We did just like you and probably most others, so we stayed along the coast when we travelled in Croatia. We visited Trogir, Omis and Brac, but imagine being able to visit Sinj during the knight games.

31 May 2022 - 15:03

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, the coast is the most attractive of course! Not surprising given Croatia's beautiful coastline. But if you spend a little more time here, it is interesting to see more! Agree, would very much like to participate in the weekend with knight tournament! 🙂
  
  31 May 2022 - 18:44
  
BP says:

The Croatian Tourist Board really does a fantastic job, both in terms of its Award but also in "selling" destinations that no one would think of exploring. Especially since it is located inland and probably few have heard of it. I really hope that your report and the other bloggers' stories do the trick for Sinj and similar not so well known places.

31 May 2022 - 18:18

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  The destinations along the coast in Croatia "sell" themselves quite well, if you say so 😉 The coast is what attracts most in Croatia, but if you have a little more time in the country, it is interesting to see more. For us, who have seen a lot along the coast, it was very interesting!
  
  31 May 2022 - 18:45

Sinj in Croatia - among knights and Unesco heritage sites

Sinj in Croatia

Alka - Sinj's equestrian tournament

Sinjska Alka Museum

The old fortress

Clapping - an intangible Unesco cultural heritage site

Crossroads in Sinj

The springtime church in Sinj - with the miraculous Madonna

Restaurant Kod Frane in Ovrlja

More to see and do in Sinj

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Facts about Sinj in Croatia

Travel to Sinj

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8 Comments

Annar Aas says:

Helena says:

Ann says:

Helena says:

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

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