Don’t Miss in Sinj in Dalmatian Hinterland

Sinj is recognizable in Croatia and beyond because of Alka, knight game that is held in Sinj since the beginning of the 18th century, in a memory of the victory over Turkish invaders.

On the hill above the Sinj raises the symbol of the city, a medieval fortress of Old Town on which is on the top votive church, and look at the walls back in history, recalling the famous battle that Sinj led by Turkish invaders in Dalmatia.

Did you know this?
Area of Sinj is inhabited since the Neolithic period, in the ancient era in the vicinity of the two major sites, the Roman city of Colonia Claudia Aequum in today’s village of Citluk, which was probably founded by Emperor Augustus as oppidum civium Romanorum. It is interesting that in this city was born Roman general Sextus Minucius Faustin, who choked uprising of Jews and destroyed Jerusalem in 135.

Sinj has a continental climate. Winters are harsh and cold, especially mornings, when the temperature can drop below -10 degrees. Summers are hot when the temperature can rise above +40 degrees Celsius.

What to see in Sinj

Church of Miraculous Madonna

Sinj is also one of the most important Marian shrines in Croatia, and the tourist destination of many pilgrims on the day of the Assumption of Mary, on August 15, since 1573, in memory of the victory over the Turks. From the early morning hours of that day begin Mass and confessions that are scheduled every half hour.
Church of Miraculous Madonna was built from 1699 to 1712 and till today has preserved its original appearance. The church has a painting of Miraculous Madonna, painted in the 15th or 16th century, and which are the people of Sinj crowned crown in gratitude for the victory over the Turks in 1715.

The Famous Sinj Alka

Alka is actually a vow to Madonna of Sinj, which was according to folk stories driven away from the Turks out of Sinj. Every year is celebrated on the first Sunday in August. Exactly these moments of the battle people of Sinj celebrate with the unique knightly tournament in the world. In it, riders or Alkar with a three-meter-long spear on horseback in full gallop throwing in iron knocker hanging on a rope. Competition begins in a solemn procession led by the chieftain (harambasa) and selected troop of Alkars, and behind is moving maces and armor bearer and guides of Edeka or horses without riders.
Alkar can, only, be the adult man which were born in the Cetina region. Today, Alka attracts a large number of tourists and a lot of media attention.

The Franciscan Monastery with a Valuable Archaeological Collection

Archaeological collection of the Franciscan monastery is also worth to visit because it is considered one of the most valuable and oldest in Croatia. Besides the valuable Roman monuments, there are also objects related to the local customs.

Museum of Cetina Region

Museum of Cetina region is another symbol of Sinj and a kind of guardian of the history of this region. In it has hundreds of items found in the riverbed the Cetina, from stone monuments, the statues of the Roman goddess of Roma and Fortune, tombstones from Rudusa from the 1st century to the ornamental decorative motifs. The museum is open for visitors from 9 to 12 pm, Sundays and holidays are closed, but check anyway.

Museum of Alka

In the Museum of Alka visitors will be able to experience the atmosphere of the Alka and its knights’ competition and see the parade, horses, and Alkars at any time of year, not just at the beginning of August. This is the only one of its kind in the world placed under UNESCO protection.

What to do in Sinj

Canoe Safari on the Cetina River

There are several routes for canoe safari on Cetina. It is actually a canoe safari on the river and lake Peruca and it ranges from Hrvaca and rides to the Otok. Another trail starts from Cikotina, and the goal is Blato na Cetini.  Take a camera with you, don’t miss to shoot the photo on this safari.

Horse Riding

Equestrian Club Mustang besides the riding school for children and adults, also organizes one-day and two-day trips in the company of guides. A special attraction is camping along the river Cetina, lunch by the river and swimming with horses in the river. The club has 15 horses, situated in Glavice, two kilometers away from the Sinj.

In the wider area of Sinj, there are four equestrian clubs: Alkar, Alamo, Mustang and Sokol which, besides riding schools, offers adventure tourism on horseback.

Airsoft

Airsoft is a team game that simulates military and police clashes for which are used replicas of weapons and necessary equipment. A polygon is made at Peruca Lake, has 30-masking homes, 56 trenches, 170 shelters and three control tower. All looking for adventure are welcome.

Paragliding

Grede in Hrvace near Sinj is one of the best runways for paragliding in Croatia with the start at 820 meters above sea level. Thanks to a good position flights are possible and in the early morning.

Fishing

In Sinj, in the Cetina is certainly popular and fishing, more specifically flies fishing. It is organized by sport-fishing association Cetina for which is necessary to pay for the license.

Cycling

Cycling track Panj is 27 km long, and departure is from Sinj. Continues through Hrvace across the state road D1, driving along the river Cetina, and after Rumina and Malina returned to Sinj across the village Bajagic and Obrovac Sinjski.

Hiking

Mountain Visoka is the favorite destination of pilgrims from neighboring villages because it has the 10-meter concrete cross on the top of Visoka. With its 982 meters offers a magnificent view of Sinj, Sinj field and the surrounding mountains and the sea. The starting point is village Radosic (2 km from Sinj).

Gastronomy

The dish is protected as cultural heritage and is also on the list of protected intangible cultural heritage which included the preparation of this traditional dishes.

Arambasa is prepared on the eldest possible way, from chopping all ingredients that go in Arambasa… Starting with three types of meat such as beef, pork, and veal, so, everything goes through chopping, no meat mincer… This means that other things need to chop such as onion, bacon, ham…  All those foods that go inside are being prepared in the way they did it before 200-250 years. Would you like to taste this unique dish?