Sirince Village Sirince, located 7 miles away from the Ancient city of Ephesus and 20 miles away from Kusadasi, was once a Greek Orthodox village. The name "Cirkince," meaning ugly in English, was chosen to discourage people from seeking refuge or moving into the village. Historical records indicate that the village has been inhabited since at least the 1st century AD, when Christian residents of Ephesus were forced to leave their homes for protection against prosecutors. The village remained a Greek Orthodox settlement until the exchange agreement between the Republic of Turkey and Greece in 1924, which resulted in the forced migration of Greeks living in Turkey and Turks living in Greece. Turkish families from the Kavala region moved to the area, and the Greek families who left the village founded a new town named "Nea Efesos" (Νέα Έφεσος). In the early years of the Republic of Turkey, the name of the village was officially changed from Cirkince to Sirince, which means "pleasant" or "charming" in Turkish. For centuries, the main industry in Sirince had been agriculture, particularly the cultivation of olives and peaches. However, in recent years, the village has become known for its unique history and beauty, attracting many tourists. Nowadays, tourism is the main industry in Sirince. Many homeowners have transformed their houses into restaurants, hotels, and shops. Visitors can taste the famous black mulberry-seed wine, which has a dessert-like taste, and buy herbal products such as lavender tea and sage. The village was once a melting pot of Turkish-Greek culture, and tourists can still admire the old Greek homes that have been restored and converted into small hotels. Additionally, there is an abandoned Greek Orthodox Church from the 19th century that can be explored. Overall, Sirince is a charming village with a rich history and natural beauty that has become a popular tourist destination.