About Sinj and Sinjska Alka

SPECIAL EVENT
– 300th anniversary of SINJSKA ALKA TOURNAMENT
About Sinj and Sinjska Alka
SINJ
Sinj, historically known as Signo or Sign in Italian (Zein in German), is a town in the continental part of Split – Dalmatia County. The town
grew around an ancient fortress held by the Ottomans from 16th until the end of 17th century, and the Franciscan Monastery with the
church of Our Lady of Sinj(Gospa Sinjska), a place of pilgrimage.
Sinj and Cetinska Krajina represent an interesting tourist area, and the major attraction is certainly the traditional Tilters Tournament
of Sinj. It takes place every year on the first Sunday in August to commemorate the victory over the Turkish army in 1715. The tilters,
dressed in the traditional costumes, ride on horseback in full gallop, trying to thrust a small ring (alka), hanging from a wire, with a lance.
The tilter who scores the highest number of points (punat) is declared victor.
SINJ
KLIS
ZADAR
TROGIR
SPLIT
The ceremony of Alka lasts for three
days. The contest starts on Friday
for the Bara, whereas the Saturday
contest is called the Čoja. The 11 Alkari
at least, 15 of them at the most and
exceptionally the 17 Alkari comprise
the Alka procession.
The Alka squires march along in the
procession, together with their leader
(harambaša). The Alkari, dressed in the
early 18th century authentic knights
attire of Sinj defenders, ride richly
decorated horses. On their right side,
they are armed with a lance and a
sabre.
An Alkar has to be born in the Cetinska
Krajina Region, be hawk-eyed and have
a strong right hand (oko sokolovo i
čvrsta desnica). Above all, he has to be
an honourable and honest man.
The Tournament of Alka originated at
the time when there were many similar
knightly tournaments throughout
Europe. All of them have now fell into
oblivion, except the Alka Tournament
of Sinj, which is at the dawn of its
tercentenary and under protection of
UNESCO as world intangible heritage.
The Alka Tournament is a symbol of
the struggle for freedom, peace and
hearth, for faith and hope. It unites the
past and the future, praises the honour
and integrity, the customs of our
ancestors, heroism and bravery.
• 7.8.2015. SPLIT - arrival
• 11.8.2015. SPLIT - departure
• 8.8.2015. SPLIT - TROGIR - KLIS SPLIT
ON REQUEST: POSSIBLE to book pre or post
extension stays either in Split or Dubrovnik,
including neccessary transfers.
Upon arrival transfer from Split airport to hotel
in Split – dinner and overnight.
Breakfast at hotel and morning city tour of
Split. Morning city tour of Split, covernig
Diocletian’s Palace (listed as UNESCO’s) World
Cultural Heritage) with the Perystile, Jupiter’s
temple and the Cathedral.
Afternoon excursion to Trogir. We will visit
Trogir, ancient Tragurion, a fortified mediaeval
town, included in the UNESCO’s List of World
Cultural Heritage. Visit to the Cathedral
of St.Lawrence, the Town Loggia and the
Benedictine Monastery founded in 1604.
Return to Split, dinner and overnight.
• 9.8.2015 SPLIT - SINJ - SPLIT
Morning departure for Sinj. City tour with
visit the remnants of the old fortress and
the Church of the Madonna of Sinj. In the
afternoon we will attend the festive Alka
Tournament.
After tournament return to Split, dinner and
overnight.
• 10.8.2015 SPLIT - SUPETAR - SPLIT
Enjoy a full day excursion by bus and ferry
to the Island of Brač. We will tour small
picturesque villages on the island, full of
traditions in preparation of food and vine
production. Return to Split, dinner and
overnight at hotel.
After breakfast free time until transfer to Split
airport.
Package price per person in EUR net
Number of
persons
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
Single suppl.
In twin
(7.-11.8.2015)
From 498,00
From 440,00
From 415,00
From 400,00
140,00
Package price includes:
- Accommodation at hotel 4* or 5* on B&B
basis (four overnights) and stay tax
- All transfers as per itinerary
- Local guide in Split, Trogir, Sinj and on the
Island of Brač
- Entrance fees in Split and Trogir and entrance
fee for Alka
- Return ferry ticket to Brač Island
- Snack on excursion to Brač Island
- Porterage
- VAT
NOTE: for less than 15 persons in the group –
price on request
SPECIAL EVENT
DATES: 23.12. – 28.12.2015.
Christmas in Croatia
• 23.12.15. ZAGREB – arrival- OSIJEK
Arrival to Zagreb airport. Transfer by modern coach transfer to
Osijek. (transfer time approximately 3 hours). Check in to the hotel
, welcome drink and buffet dinner in hotel restaurant.
• 24.12.15. OSIJEK
After breakfast, departure for sightseeing of Osijek. Osijek is
Slavonija’s largest city. Visit Old Upper Town with the church of St.
Peter and Paul and baroque district Fort (Tvrđa) with city walls and
Muesum of Slavonija.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Later after dinner, you may attend Midnight Mass at the St. Peter
and Paul church.
• 25.12.15. OSIJEK
Breakfast and dinner at hotel – whole day at leisure.
Traditional Croatian Christmas lunch at hotel with drinks included.
• 26.12.15. OSIJEK – ČAZMA – SALAJ - OSIJEK
ČAZMA
OSIJEK
ILOK
Today enjoy a full day included excursion by bus to Čazma and Salaj
country home.
Čazma is situated on the slopes of Moslavačka gora, surrounded by
fertile lowlands. The river Česma runs to the east of Čazma and the
smaller river Glogovnica flows into it nearby, too.
The town of Čazma is one of the oldest towns inCroatia. It was
mentioned in 1094, when the Hungarian king gave Čazma as a
possession to the bishop of Zagreb. The year that is mentioned
as the year of Čazma’s foundation is 1226, when bishop Babonic
established a parish, built a Dominican monastery and - today far
known for its cultural worth, the Church of saint Mary Magdalene,
which gave the parish its present name. The church is the only
preserved monument of the earliest written eight hundred year
history of the city. It is a unique example of romanic architecture
in northern Croatia and experts equate its value with the Zagreb
cathedral. The church organ made in 1767 are one of the most
beautiful in Croatia.
After sightseeing and visit to the Church and gallery, visit ethno
house, and meal in typical house of this region („čardak“).
Round 16;00 visit country home Salaj. The entire estate is decorated
at this time of year. Thousands of visitors come by to view the
spectacle created by Salaj and his family. When he started this
practice in 2002, Salaj had a modest 70,000 light bulbs that were
put up on all the shrubs and trees across his 17-acre estate. When
people asked him how many he would put up the next year, his
reply was a 100,000. In this way, the lights and decorations kept
growing in number. This year, the number has upped to 1.2 million
Christmas lights. Not just ordinary ones, he has lights shaped like
Santa Claus and reindeer. The festive spirit of his decorations is
contagious and attracts children and adults alike from all over the
region.
We will return to Osijek in the evening – dinner at hotel.
OSIJEK
• 27.12.15. OSIJEK – ILOK - OSIJEK
Breakfast, dinner and overnight at hotel in Osijek. Early afternoon
excursion to Ilok. Visit Ilok and the wine road of Ilok which is
definitely different from what typical wine roads have to offer. We
will walk to Old Ilok Cellars of the Odescalchi Castle, to the wineries
in the Upper and Lower Town and visit one old winery and taste
three sorts of wine. We will also visit old belvedere and vineyards
of Principovac which boast a magnificent view of the surrounding
vineyards, Ilok, the Danube and the neighbouring region Bačka.
Return to Osijek, dinner and overnight.
ILOK
• 28.12.15. OSIJEK – ZAGREB - DEPARTURE
Breakfast and free time until transfer by bus to Zagreb airport
Package price per person in EUR net
Number of
persons
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
Single suppl.
In twin
(23.-28.12.2015)
998,00
850,00
770,00
720,00
315,00
Package price includes:
- Accommodation at 4* hotel in Osijek on HB basis (five overnights)
and stay tax
- Modern, A/C coach throughout the program
- Local guide in Osijek, Čazma , Salaj and Ilok
- Entrance fees for Salaj country home, Museum of Slavonia and Ilok
- Snack on excursion to Ilok
- Chrismas lunch with drinks at hotel on 25.12.15.
- Perfecta through guide
-Porterage
-VAT
NOTE: for less than 15 persons in the group – price on request
RIVER DRAVA
ČAZMA