Turkish Villages and Local Life from Izmir

Sirince, a mountain village in the Selcuk District of Izmir, is undoubtedly one of the most aesthetic villages in Turkey. As a matter of fact, our language is not willing to say Village. There's an artificial side of this place that looks more like a movie set. But if you say beautiful, it's architecture, nature, feeling, everything is very beautiful. One of the things that make Sirince stand out among tourist destinations is its fruit wines. Many of the houses in the area have been converted into hotels, and the general public welcomes a large number of guests. From the village square, up to the church located on the top of the village, it is possible to visit shops selling tourist items and exhibitions of crafts.

Turkısh Coffe on the Sand
The traditional Turkish coffee culture, which has fallen into oblivion, has been revived with coffee in the sand and coffee pot culture. Turkish coffee can be prepared with many different cooking methods. These are the ones that provide the best heating, provide the most balanced temperature to the coffee pot, ensure that all the coffee is cooked at the same rate, and create a delicious flavor without losing its aroma is cooking in the sand. The biggest difference between coffee in the sand is that it cooks more slowly compared to other Turkish coffee cooking methods. Because it cooks slowly, coffee and water are cooked by mixing well. For this reason, a tastier coffee is obtained.

Eating and Drinking
Of course, Gozleme (pancakes)...You can find a place in Sirince that makes step-by-step pancakes. If you walk to the upper side of the village.
And, of course, mulled wine...Right at the entrance of the village, there are lots of wine shops in the village. Sit in the wine house, which has an impressive atmosphere with its wooden decor, and taste the wines produced in the village. Even if it suits your taste buds, try drinking mulled wine...
An old school building of about 150 years has been restored and converted into a restaurant. In addition to the closed part of the restaurant, there is also a garden. It is possible to taste the famous wines of the village and local dishes here...Olive oil is also produced in the village. Olive oil, which is the own production by the villagers, is of very high quality and delicious...At any place where you will eat in the village, put plenty of olive oil in your food or salad. That you will love the taste.

Shopping
In Şirince, it is possible to find wine and olive oil, which are the own production of the village people, in front of almost every house... The villagers produce them themselves and sell them quite cheaply. We say definitely take it, especially from olive oil. Very high quality and inexpensive... In addition, you can also buy handicrafts made by local people in the village square. If you find village bread, be sure to take it...

Saint John Church was built in 1832 and is dedicated to Saint John. There were frescoes (paintings) on the walls and ceiling, but a few remained, some of them buried under plaster but clearly visible, nonsense is written on the walls of the church, and we know that such nonsense Turkish writings in the holy place, at least in order not to contradict the religion of these events. It is comforting to know that it is a sign of a degree of uncivilization.

When you visit Şirince, it is in the first place among the historical buildings you can visit. St. Dimitrios Church and John The Baptist Churches are among the structures that have survived without being destroyed in the village and have survived to the present day by preserving their historical texture. Walking through the cobblestone streets, you are greeted by the fragrant spices that are freshly picked and sold by the village aunts at the entrance of the bay. You reach the church by passing through rich spice variety and colorfully decorated streets. It is known that both churches were built by the Greeks who came and settled in this region. The Church of St. Dimitrios is also known as the Wooden Vaulted Church. The reason for this is that the building material used is built from wooden vaults. The woodwork here is of unique beauty even in its present form. The building, which is a 19th-century architecture, was favored by the Greeks living in Şirince village.