Sirince is a Greco-Turkish village located only 8 kilometers from Selcuk,Izmir. Sirince, also called Ephesus on the Mountains, is a well-known village that was once home to Greek settlers. In recent years, it has emerged as one of the region’s top attractions. It has several cultural landmarks that are worth seeing, including St. Demetrius Church and John the Baptist Church. Its charming white houses, tiny bazaar, mouthwatering treats, and its village breakfast popular among locals have helped it establish a wide reputation.
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History of Sirince
Sirince, once pronounced as Kirkice, Kirkince and Cirkince in Greek, was officially changed to Sirince during the early years of the Republic at the request of Kazım Dirik, the Izmir governor at the time. Sirince’s history goes back centuries, to the Ottoman era, when Greek settlers founded it. In the 1920s, after the Greco-Turkish War and the population exchange, the village was renamed Şirince, which translates to “pleasant” or “charming” in Turkish.
In the 19th century Sirince was a Greek town with 1800 households and it was particularly known for producing figs, particularly for export. Following the Greek population exchange with Greece in 1923 (the majority of whom relocated to Katerini’s Nea Efesos village), the Müştiyan (Moustheni) and Somokol (Domatia) villages of Kavala hosted exchanges.
The village’s economy, which was formerly centered on olive farming, wine production, and vineyards, was temporarily disrupted by newcomers from a tobacco region, but these industries have recently begun to recover in line with the village’s growing popularity as a tourist destination. Apart from olive and wine production, peaches, figs, apples, and walnuts are also cultivated in the region.
Sirince in Mayan Apocalypse 2012
Some New Age spiritualists believed that Mayan hieroglyphs predicted a “doomsday” of December 21,2012. On this date, Sirince attracted members of a New Age group that thinks Sirince and the French village of Bugarach are unaffected by the final collapse of the world. The spiritualists believed the village would be a safe haven because of its positive energy and closeness to the spot where some people believed the Virgin Mary ascended to heaven.
Today’s Sirince
Right now, Sirince is a serene village located in Turkey’s Izmir Province, widely recognized for its stunning scenery and abundant historical significance. Much of the historic charm of Sirince is still present, with its cobblestone streets, traditional stone houses, and expansive views of vineyards and orchards.
Wine Tasting & Culinary Treats
Sirince is the place where you can feast your stomach as well as your eyes. Visitors here are drawn to the village by its thriving wine culture, where they can taste wines produced locally at old wine houses and cellars. There are also small stalls in the bazaar where the villagers sell their own products. Here, you can find whatever you are looking for such as olive oil, molasses, honey, jam,handicrafts, soaps,souvenirs, and much more.
Sirince is also a popular destination for foodies due to its genuine Turkish cuisine, which consists of regional specialties prepared using locally and freshly sourced ingredients.When you get hungry from walking around, Sirince village offers you plenty of options. You can taste the flavors of Aegean and Cretan cuisines, such as radhika, roasted herbs, sagebrush, stuffed zucchini flowers and many more.
Make sure to taste the olive oil, village bread, fruit wine, and if you visit in the summer, give peaches a try. If you visit in the winter, don’t leave here without tasting the tangerines. And on top of all this, don’t say goodbye to Sirince without having a cup of traditional coffee cooked in sand at the old cafe overlooking the Village Square.
Reserve a Sirince Tour
Prepare to be amazed by the distinctive village of Sirince, which combines natural and historical splendor. Discover this popular tourist destination with your loved ones amidst stunning peach and vineyard landscapes. Take a tour in Sirince, which is also well-known in Mayan culture, to discover Turkish villagers, Greek homes, and Turkish cuisine. If you are interested you can check out Sirince tour here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Autumn (September to October) and spring (April to June) are the best seasons to visit Sirince Village. The weather is nice during these months, so you can stroll around the village, take in its verdant surroundings, and engage in outdoor activities. If you don’t like crowds or hot weather, stay away from the summer months as they can be very crowded.
Indeed, Sirince provides a range of lodging choices, such as guesthouses, boutique hotels, and quaint stone villas that perfectly capture the rustic charm of the village. Many of these lodgings offer a comfortable and genuine stay by combining contemporary conveniences with a traditional design. Reservations should be made in advance, especially during the high season of Summer months.
Sirince Village can be fully explored in a day if you’re short on time. However, an overnight stay is highly recommended to immerse yourself in its tranquil ambiance, savor local cuisine, and explore the area without rushing. If you’re interested in wine-tasting, shopping for handmade goods, and visiting nearby historical attractions like Ephesus, two days would be ideal.
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