Secreted high in the inland hills among wild orchards and rolling groves, Sirince Village is a scenic little village dotted with a dollhouse collection of stone and stucco houses. The area was probably settled when Ephesus was abandoned, but what you see today mostly dates from the 19th century. The story goes that a group of freed Greek slaves moved here in the 15th century and called the village Çirkince (Ugliness) to deter others from following. The name was changed to the more honest Sirince (Pleasantness) in the 1920s during the founding of the new republic.
Before Atatürk’s republic, Sirince was a larger town inhabited by Ottoman Greeks. The current villagers, who moved here from Salonica during an exchange of populations in 1924, are ardent fruit farmers who also make and sell an interesting assortment of wines. Flavours range from raspberry and peach to the trendier black mulberry and pomegranate.
Sirince Village is by no means the ‘undiscovered gem’ as usually marketed in other guidebooks. In fact, it’s the village’s widely known reputation for authenticity that has marked the start of its demise. During the day, souvenir shops run the entire length of the main street as vendors try to lure you in using a smattering of catcalls in different languages. Visitors who ignore this and stay the night (at a stiff premium, of course) will be well rewarded with the chance to see the real village after the tour buses have gone.
Sights & Activities
If you’re trying to avoid the crowds then it’s best to visit in the evening when the droves of daytrippers have long retreated from the mountains 3pm is about the busiest time of day. Şirince’s charm lies in its subtleties, so your time is best spent simply ambling around the crooked cobbled lanes and admiring the adorable architecture.
The ruined Church of St John the Baptist ( 8am-8pm summer, 8.30am-6.30pm winter) is of limited interest. Faded frescoes adorn the walls, which date back to Byzantine times. Funds are scarce, so restorations have yet to turn the space into more than a sanctuary for cawing birds.
Sleeping
Sirince is a captive market, and room rates can be ludicrously inflated for what you get.
Shopping
These days almost every house on the village’s main street has been transformed into a storefront selling a variety of local wares, namely fruit wine. Ask to sample your wine of choice before making the purchase it’s not everyone’s cup of tea some of the flavours taste a bit too much like cough syrup. Other shops sell olive oil, soaps and leather goods, usually crafted locally (it’s best to ask). It’s worth stopping by Demetrius of Ephesus (Sirince Köyü 26) , a local artisan who crafted most of the jewellery and trinkets for the movie Troy you’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the photo of Brad Pitt hanging above the cash register.
This was mainly an old 19th century Greek village before the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923. Small, charming, located on a hill top with a pleasant market selling among other things olive oil soaps made locally, olive oil, wines and spices.
Walk the cobblestone alleys, admire the Ottoman houses, make the effort to go up…
Sirince Village ( Şirince Köyü)
We went by private car to Sirince, courtesy of the hotel we were staying at in Selcuk. I had read a few travel articles about the village and was looking forward to spending some time wandering the streets and just "getting a feel" for the place.
If you like Historical ruins you must see Apollon temple (didiyma) miletus and priene in 1 day next day you can visit ephesus and Mary house, and another day you can visit the sirince and the ephesus museum in selcuk.
Guide told me that locals love this village b/c it makes them relax and feel good (he said it has a magnetic vortex). That may be true b/c the numerous and omnipresent vendors selling cheap "local" crafts leave the locals alone. What was once a single market street is now a market village. Very annoying.
Worth going here. We had a very nice lunch. Bought some fruity wine that they are famous for. Bought jewelry and other souvenirs to take back home. The main road is cobblestone and uneven, wear comfortable shoes. With lunch we spent I think around 2 hrs visiting the place.
Greek schoolhouse, which gives a bit of history about the village.
We visited Sirince after Ephesus. A beautiful village high in the mountains with great views. The bizarres sold lots of local crafts and were very colourful. We had lunch in one of the many cafes and again the Turkish hospitality and kindness were great.
Definitely worth a visit.
This is a quaint little village going up a hillside about 20minutes from Ephesus.
This former greek/turk village has been conserved by the Turks. and has a Armenian population as well. A bit shabby but the relative conservation of the village is worth the visit. You can buy saffron and thyme all grown in the surrounding hills. Try some fruit wines.