Centuries-old tradition continues as Croatian town of Sinj readies for 308th edition of Sinjska Alka

(Photo credit: Office of President of Croatia/ Marko Beljan)

The traditional Sinjska Alka Knights lancing tournament will be held for the 308th time this weekend.  

Sinjska Alka, which commemorates the victory over the advancing Ottoman Turkish administration in the 18th century, will take place on August 6 in the southern Croatian town of Sinj.

Now in its 308th year, Sinjska Alka sees various horsemen attempt to aim their lances at a hanging metal ring, known as the Alka, at full gallop. The ring, or Alka, consists of two concentric iron circles joined by three bars so that the distance between the circles is divided into three equal parts. 

Frano Ivković won his 3rd Alka last year (Photo credit: Office of President of Croatia/ Marko Beljan)

The central circle, which is the smallest one, is worth three points (punat), the upper field two points, and two lower fields one point each.

Only men born in Sinj and surrounding villages are eligible to take part in the event and with it comes considerable prestige. The costumes worn by the Alkar men are the same that were worn by the warriors in the 18th century.

(Photo: Office of the President/ Ana Marija Katić)

Sinjska Alka was inscribed in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2010. 

(Photo: Office of the President/ Ana Marija Katić)

The Sinjska Alka is also celebrated with local religious events, social gatherings, and festivities and is the only remaining example of the medieval knightly competitions that were regularly held in the Croatian coastal towns until the nineteenth century.

On Sunday, August 6, the Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT) will broadcast the 308th Sinjska Alka live on (HRT-HTV2) starting at 16:15.