The performance depicting the glorious 1775 battle of Sinj, which was the subject of many works of poetry and art, as well as the events that preceded it, will be held on 11 August (Thursday) at 20:30 at Pijaca, in organization of Sinj Tourist Board.

The 1715 Siege of Sinj performance consists of two acts. Act one starts at Pijaca, the main square of Sinj, when the Ottomans in a dramatic and violent attack managed to conquer Sinj Town (Varoš), burning the church and taking the people into slavery. The leader of the Ottomans, Mustava-paša Čelić, triumphantly announces the easy conquest of Sinj fort from his chariot. The people, alongside a small number of defenders, hid in the fort, carrying their most prized possession from Rama – the picture of the Mother of Mercy, the Miraculous Madonna of Sinj.

New to this year is the depiction of the second act on a newly restored Kamičak fort, where the Defence Council, despite an almost dead-end situation, does not think of surrendering, but instead decides to defend their town, outnumbered by a more powerful enemy. According to oral tradition, the Ottomans were defeated and Sinj was liberated thanks to the help of the Madonna. The grateful people of Sinj and the defenders made a golden crown which was used in the coronation of the Image of the Miraculous Madonna in 1716 by Split’s archbishop Stjepan Cupilli. They also made a vow: On the day of Mary’s Assumption we will walk with the holy Picture through the streets of Sinj, play the chivalry Alka tournament and celebrate. The coronation, along with a prayer for reconciliation, will also be depicted, in honour of that significant 300th anniversary.

The author of the script is Prof Velimir Borković, and the play is directed by Rade Perković. The members of the Community Theatre Sinj, Association of rera singers and gusle players of Otok, cavalrymen of the Alka Society, and horses of the Alka stables all participate in the play, while Mr. Davor Ivković and Mr. Ivica Kurobasa tend to the carriage.

The 1715 Siege of Sinj performance is a unique spectacle and a journey through time – under the August night sky the whole town becomes a stage for real events which instantly take the viewer 300 years in the past!