Catholic Marian churches have always had a special place in the hearts of the believers. They worshipped the Holy Virgin Mary and in times of trouble prayed to her for help. They relied on her heavenly intercession deeming her the Queen of the Croats. She has also been called fidelissima advocate Croatiae (most faithful Croatian advocate) throughout history.

Our Lady of Sinj Route spans 148 km from Solin to Sinj, then Livno, Tomislavgrad and Rama. It is a pilgrimage path used through centuries to travel from several different directions to the largest Madonna sanctuary in southern Croatia. Our Lady of Sinj Route project is approved within the IPA Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina project and relies on the traditional walking and riding paths, as well as the abandoned route of Rera – once Sinj's railway. By developing the accompanying infrastructure and raising awareness of immense value of cultural and religious heritage, the Our Lady of Sinj route is slowly superseding local frames and is gaining an international dimension. The route is active throughout the whole year, not just in the period of the holiday.

The Image of the Miraculous Madonna of Sinj was brought from Rama to Sinj in 1687 by the Franciscans who fled from the Turks. Ever since, the faithful people have been coming to their saviour who, according to the legend, has defended them when they were greatly outnumbered by the enemy in 1715.

Every year thousands of worshipers, especially the youth, set off on a pilgrimage towards the city of Sinj. The event takes place on the nights of the holiday dedicated to Our Lady of Sinj – from August 8^th until August 15^th, when the central ceremony is held. Accompanied by the sounds of church bells ringing and fanfares, the Image of the Miraculous Madonna of Sinj is brought from the church onto the streets for a grand procession. To carry the Image on one's shoulder represents a great honour.

The historical connection between worshippers and the sanctuaries is most visible on September 8, the holiday of Mala Gospa, celebrating the birth of the Holy Vrigin Mary, which is particularly celebrated in Solin, the first sanctuary of the Lady of Otok. It is a unique experience to set on an ancient religious journey by foot, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, to find peace and sanctuary in the safety of Our Lady of Sinj. The believers will make their journey on marked paths through picturesque landscapes rich with historical heritage. On their spiritual path to the heavenly mother they will pass relics of old paths and bridges, forts, tombstones, sacred places and buildings, and museums.

Our Lady of Sinj Routes are an excellent example of a functional coexistence between tourism and religion without disrupting the natural balance. 2017 was the International Year of Sustainable Tourism, and September 27 is World Tourism Day, marked with the slogan “Sustainable tourism, a tool of development”. World Tourism Organization, UNWTO, calls for an appropriate celebration so the Sinj Tourist Board will organize a screening of documentary films that have been created during the project “Tradition in the lense”. The project was led by Rino Efendić and realized in cooperation with the Cultural-Arts Center and the Museum of Cetina Region, with the help of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia. The video documentary workshops led by the artist and photograph were free. They were held on the weekends between May 26 and July 1 of this year and were divided into two parts. The theoretical part was held in Sikirica Gallery. In the lectures, the workshop attendees learned about the history of the medium with a more detailed analysis of the new media of the 60s till today, with an overview of the most relevant world and domestic media artists. In the practical part of the workshop, the attendees made their own works in the field under the supervision of professionals – some chose the selected topics while others chose their own. They filmed short works about the traditional crafts (the manufacturing of clothes and shoes, and tools for everyday use), using the methods of visual anthropology.

The Routes are a valuable and quality contribution to the touristic offer of the town of Sinj and the Cetina Region, as well as a proof of smart management of cultural and aesthetic values and natural wealth, which certainly give a positive boost to sustainable tourism and wellbeing of the entire society.