Strike a Pose!

Overview of the history of a knights’ tournament in Sinj

Town of SinjMuseum Alka of Sinj

On the first weekend in August, the town of Sinj, Croatia hosts the Sinjska Alka, an equestrian event and knights’ tournament that has been taking place annually for more than 300 years.

Inspection of alkar lancersMuseum Alka of Sinj

The competition requires that costumed knights on horseback charge toward a hanging metal ring and hit it with their swords. While there were once many medieval-style knights’ tournaments in the coastal and inland areas of Croatia up until the 19th century, the Sinjska Alka is the only remaining such event.

The DukeMuseum Alka of Sinj

The Alkar lancerMuseum Alka of Sinj

Due to the historic importance of the event and its role in ensuring cultural continuity from generation to generation, the Sinjska Alka was in 2010 added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Alkar aimed at Alka riding at full gallopMuseum Alka of Sinj

The Alkar lancerMuseum Alka of Sinj

The Sinjska Alka commemorates a 1715 victory in Sinj during the Seventh Ottoman–Venetian War, also called the Second Morean War. Sinj was under the control of the Republic of Venice, which occupied the coast and hinterland of Dalmatia. Since it was in the hinterlands and close to Ottoman territory, Sinj was a target of Ottomans intent on retaking Dalmatia.

Mace bearer costumeMuseum Alka of Sinj

In early August 1715, 700 Croats from Sinj, along with a smaller number of Venetian soldiers, managed to hold off a siege of 60,000 Ottomans.

Harambaša deputy. Sinj brass bandMuseum Alka of Sinj

The townspeople believed that the Madonna of Sinj, a 16th-century painting of the Virgin Mary, helped drive the Ottomans away. Tradition holds that the first alka tournament was held in her honor on August 15—the festival of the Assumption of the Virgin— in 1715 and has been observed every year since.

Duke's salutationMuseum Alka of Sinj

The flag bearer (barjaktar) and flag escortsMuseum Alka of Sinj

Now held the first weekend in August that includes a Sunday, the Sinjska Alka sees between 11 and 17 alkari—the name for the knights—riding their horses at full speed towards an alka—a hanging ring made of two concentric iron circles. With their spears, which are 3-meter long pointed lances, they attempt to hit the inside circle of the ring.

Alajčauš is the Marshal’s deputy and commander of the troop of Alkar lancersMuseum Alka of Sinj

Alkar aimed at Alka riding at full gallopMuseum Alka of Sinj

Between one and three points are awarded depending on which part of the alka they strike. Zero points are awarded if they miss the alka altogether.

Alkar aimed at Alka riding at full gallopMuseum Alka of Sinj

The rules are complicated and strict, with riders disqualified if they lose any part of their gear during their charge to the alka.

The Alajčauš, troop commander of alkar lancersMuseum Alka of Sinj

The Alkar lancers on the trackMuseum Alka of Sinj

The event is spread over three days, with preliminary competitions in the first two days. The alkar with the most points at the end is the winner of the tournament. The final and most important alka, along with a grand celebration are held on Sunday, the last day of the event.

The moment when Alkar hits alka with a lanceMuseum Alka of Sinj

The alka adjusterMuseum Alka of Sinj

The Alkar lancers on the trackMuseum Alka of Sinj

But the spectacle of the Sinjska Alka extends well beyond the actual charges on horseback. The costumes, rituals and ceremony surrounding it are all essentials parts of the tradition. Alkar can only be men born in Sinj or one of the surrounding villages, and they must be sure horsemen and strong enough to wield the long, heavy spears with precision.

The men and their horses wear elaborate costumes identical to those worn by the 18th-century defenders of Sinj. Each year, one alkar is appointed the Duke of Alka—he commands the alkari and inspects them before the competition to ensure that their costumes and accoutrement are to the tournament standard.

The winner of Alka and his infantry assistantMuseum Alka of Sinj

Townspeople, especially the families of the alkari, participate by sewing costumes, crafting and repairing weapons, and preparing special foods for the festivities.

The Harambaša, leader of the squad of Alka squires in alka processionMuseum Alka of Sinj

The Sunday event begins with a procession of alkari and their squires, as well as a rider-less horse, called the edek, symbolic of the horse allegedly taken from the Pasha (the Ottoman commander) during the 1715 siege. A banner of the Madonna of Sinj, the Croatian flag, and other costumed participants form part of the procession, which passes through a throng of thousands of spectators.

A shot in the middle of the ring is celebrated with music and a single shot from the City FortressMuseum Alka of Sinj

The winner of AlkaMuseum Alka of Sinj

Winning the tournament is, of course, a great honor for an alkar. He takes a victory ride through town with the Croatian flag attached to his spear and his chivalry is celebrated all year long, until the next contest decides a new winner.

Overview of The Alka of Sinj Museum, CroatiaMuseum Alka of Sinj

Credits: Story

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinjska_alka
https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/sinjska-alka-a-knights-tournament-in-sinj-00357
https://www.alka.hr/en/museum/sinjska-alka-s41
https://croatia.hr/en-GB/Activities-and-attractions/Events/NewEvents/alka-sinj
http://www.visitsinj.com/en/Vodic/36/alka-tournament
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinj
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Sinj

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions (listed below) who have supplied the content.
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