The traditionally knightly competition of Sinj’s Alkars, the Alka, is a living memorial with which the people of Sinj have since 1715. kept the memory of the victory of the people of Cetina over Turkish conquerors. In honor of the heroic event where 700 defenders, after a fifteen day siege, managed to hold back 60 000 Turkish soldiers, the people of Sinj devised a game in which the Knights who were themselves engaged in combat competed. Later, Alka was "run" by their descendants and residents of Cetina and the competition has been held until today. At authentic locations – the ancient fortress Grad, the Kamičak fortress, the Alkar Palace and racecourse - numerous Alkar men proudly maintain a three century old tradition that symbolizes heroism and desire for freedom. The culmination of this three-day event is the well known fight for Alka held in the first week of August. The Alkars, riding a horse in full gallop, with a three-meter-long spear attempt to shoot through the Alka (ring) hung on a rope across the tracks. The Alka is an iron ring which consists of two concentric rings connected with three iron bars, which divide the space into three equal parts.

The winner of Alka is richly rewarded, and the people of Sinj and the Cetina area praise him as the most magnificent hero and knight, until the next year’s competition.

Alka holds a special place in Croatian traditional culture, but also in the tourist industry, because it is a unique knightly competition in Europe that takes place in a town in Dalmatia, about 30 km north of Split.



The Tourist Board of the Split – Dalmatia County
www.dalmatia.hr

The Tourist Board of Sinj
www.tzsinj.hr

Sinjska Alka
www.alka.hr