Have you heard of the project “Sinj u sridu”?
The City of Sinj has patiently and diligently prepared documentation for the project “Sinj u sridu”, which in January 2016, as coordinator of the project, reported on a public call for the proposal “preparation and implementation of integrated development programs based on the renewal of cultural heritage”, which will be funded from the European regional development fund, reports Dalmacija Danas on May 17, 2017.
Taking into account their cultural and traditional values, natural diversity, and wealth of untouched nature, Sinj has a strong potential for the development of cultural, religious, sports and adventure, and rural tourism, which are attractive enough individually, and together compatible enough to form a unique tourist offer for the destination – attracting tourists throughout the year while responding to the need to diversify the tourist offer.
Sinj, as a destination of cultural tourism, finds its footing in the strong fact that the Alka of Sinj has been included on the list of UNESCO World Intangible and Cultural Heritage. Our Lady of Sinj, in addition, gathers hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year.
The backbone of the project “Sinj u sridu” calls for the reconstruction, restoration and revitalization of immovable cultural assets including the City Fortress, Fortress Kamičak and the clocktower, the Museum of Cetina region and the renovation of the historic zone of Sinj.
Their restoration and revitalization will be the basis for the development of a series of thematically related cultural and tourist facilities (festivals, performances, presentations of traditional crafts, souvenirs, multimedia, and new products, etc) which will turn Sinj into a tourist destination with many tourist facilities throughout the year.
By implementing the project, the goal is to also encourage a stronger valuation of intangible cultural heritage, mainly through the construction of a new Interpretive Education Center “Sinj Alka “which will allow for the maintenance of year-round interpretative and educational content related to the Sinj Alka, an already established and recognized brand in Sinj.
The implementation of the project activities include private entrepreneurs (making traditional souvenirs), the cultural and artistic society, and other stakeholders. In addition, the project will conduct activities to strengthen the capacity of persons employed and future hires in the fields of culture and tourism, which is extremely important for the further sustainable management and valorisation of cultural heritage, the continuous development of new cultural and tourist facilities, and the introduction of modern approaches and technologies in the presentation of cultural heritage.
All of these activities will be strongly supported by intensive marketing and promotional activities and branding, which will position Sinj and the Cetina region as a single tourist destination which can satisfy different tourist interests and needs in a comprehensive manner. This project will thus brand the region as recognizable on the tourist market – making it able to compete with the popular coastal destinations.
The project partners in the City of Sinj are the Alka Knights Society, Museum of the Cetina Region, public institution RERA for the coordination and development of Split-Dalmatia County, the Tourist Board of Sinj and FLORAMI Sinj.
The total value of the project is estimated at around 68.1 million HRK over a planned period of about 26 months. EU grants to finance the project will be given in the amount of 56.9 million HRK. The remainder of the funds will be paid by the City of Sinj and project partners.
It is certain that the synergistic effort of the project “Sinj u sridu” will strengthen entrepreneurship, raise the living standards with new employment, and strengthen the optimism and hope for a better future in Sinj and the Cetina Region!
