This
pretty old Orthodox village, 12 km away
from Ephesus and 30 km from Kusadasi,
was once Cirkince ("ugly").
Indeed its habitants gave this name on
purpose as they did not want to be bothered
by foreigners nor to share the beauty
of their village.
Still after years, visitors understood
that the village was not ugly at all and
called it Sirince ("pretty").
As the village is located on the top of
a mountain, anyone will enjoy the impressive
wine yards' and peach trees' views on
his way.
Today the village is
a perfect synthesis of Turk-Greek culture
as of the 1920's: after the Independence
War, people exchange between Greek and
Turks has occurred and all those typical
Greek houses, though they kept their original
outside characteristics, have received
the local layout inside. The most beautiful
specimens are open to visitors. And even
in the courtyard of one of them, one will
discover a nicely restorated Orthodox
church.
All the narrow streets of the village
belong to the women, selling handcrafts
of all kinds, olive oil. Another attraction
of Sirince is its wine: try its
taste in small cafés or in the
former municipal school restorated.
Though Sirince Village is developing
its tourism very quickly, it has been
able to preserve its authenticity and
the meaning of its name.
You can book a private tour to the Sirince with OTTI's Ephesus Tours
