While I was chilling during the day in Sinj, recovering from the beer festival, I heard horse gallop. That were local horseman preparing for a knights’ competition that’s been going on for over 200 years now!
So the long story short, Croatians beat the invading Ottomans in early 18th century and since then they celebrate that feat annually. It’s amazing that the odds were 700 hundred plus against 60,000 invaders. Somehow I doubt it was only the courage involved. Sounds to me more like lucky circumstances.
Not surprisingly, local population believed it was the Lady of Sinj who miraculously drove away Ottomans. Classic saints play. There is a painting of her from that time, in the local church, which I will leave for another post. Here, let’s see how the actual celebration looks like!
So, during the national holiday of the Assumption of Mary on August 15, in honor of the said saint, a procession is organised, in which horsemen in full parade outfit march with a painting of Our Lady of Sinj throughout the town streets.
Then the main part. A spear is wielded by horsemen and in full gallop they heave to push it through a very small hanging metal ring. Each hit gets you points. The competition, the Alka, was inscribed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists, so it ranks high in cool games of the olden days.
Another interesting detail is that only locals from the town can compete. No other is deemed worthy of the honor. But, at least you can watch it and enjoy the spectacle. You into horses? Might be just your thing!
Camera: Cell phone - Moto G4 Plus 16MP
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