This
pretty old Orthodox village, 12 km away from Ephesus, 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 is developing its tourism very quickly, it has
been able to preserve its authenticity and the meaning of
its name.
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