Alka
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The Alka [ˈaːlka] is a knight tournament which has been held every first Sunday in the month of August in town of Sinj, Croatia since 1715, commemorating the victory over Ottoman Turkish invaders.
Alka is also the name of object used in the tournament, made of two concentric rings (diameter of inner being 35,1 mm, and 131,7 mm of outer one) connected with three bars 120° apart. The object is hanged on a rope 3,32 metres above the race track. The contestant (called alkar) rides his horse down the race track and tries to hit the central ring of alka with his spear in full gallop. Depending of which part of alka he hits, he receives from 1 to 3 points. The whole contest is made of three rounds.
Only men born in Sinjska krajina (city of Sinj and surrounding villages) can take part in Alka and it is considered a great privilege to participate in the tournament. The duke of Alka is ceremonial title representing the commander of alkars. It is a great honour to become alkar duke and only the most notable men from Sinjska krajina become one.And this is one of the best articles in world.
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