The remains of the old fortress, known among the people of Sinj simply as the City, still stand faithfully guarding the town of Sinj after centuries. It was a refuge for the people and soldiers during Turkish invasions, guarded and protected the weak, and resisted invaders. In the center was the church of St. Michael, in which, on the altar of St. Barbara, the Franciscans from Rama placed a precious and miraculous image of Our Lady of Mercy. Through the intercession of Fr. Pavle Vučković, in the settlement below the fortress, construction of the church of St. Mary began in 1699, which was completed in 1712.
Not much remains of the fortress itself. After the earthquakes of 1709, 1768, 1796, and multiple barbarian attacks, the walls of the old fortified Sinj gave way and the people began to settle in Podvaroš. The church that stands today on the fort was built in 1887, on the bicentennial of the arrival of the Cetinje people from Rama. It symbolizes the vow, firm alliance and loyalty that has bound the people of Cetinje to the Mother of God for centuries. In honor of their eternal heavenly protector, in 2008 the people of Sinj erected a bronze statue of Our Lady of Sinj on the fort, the work of academic sculptor Josip Marinović.
The path leading from the foot of the fort to the church is marked by 14 Stations of the Cross. Each station is the work of one of the most famous Croatian artists. A complete renovation of the fort walls is planned by 2015, with a grand celebration of the tricentennial of the defense of Sinj. The Old Town fortress and the cemetery are under the protection of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia.
Translated by Google •
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