Åžirince

Template: Infobox city in Turkey / Maintenance / County

Sirince is a small community in the Turkish province of Izmir. The town with its 700 inhabitants is located about eight kilometers east of Selçuk and the historic Ephesus at the end of Oliventals.

History

On the Origin of Sirince and the naming, there are different stories. Probably the site was founded in the early 15th century by Ephesians who abandoned their city in the conquest by Timur and retreated into the mountains. Another version tells of slaves who settled there and the place Çirkince ( ugliness ) baptized in order to prevent more settlers. In the third variant is 40 freed slaves, after which the place originally Kirkinca ( forty ) was called. In 1926 the then Governor of Izmir, the place the new name Sirince ( friendliness ).

Until 1924 lived primarily Ottoman Greeks in today Sirince. At that time the city was much larger and an important trading center for the surrounding monasteries. Sirince was also a religious center. It was said that the Virgin Mary had ascended there in the sky.

After the Greco- Turkish War 1919-1922, there was a large resettlement action. The Greeks were forced to leave their place, and Turks from Thessaloniki a subject.

Economy and tourism

The inhabitants live mainly by vineyards and orchards (olives, peaches, figs) and of the tourism industry. Sirince is considered authentic old Greek village. In fact, the village image has changed little in the last hundred years. That is why the place is a popular destination for tours and for cruise passengers.

The end of 2012, the village experienced a rush of visitors, because some believed that after the end of the Mayan calendar, the world would perish, but that Sirince due to the veneration of Mary and " positive energy " is the only place spared (next to Bugarach ).

Gallery

Alley in Sirince

Former Orthodox Church of St. John the Baptist

Interior view of St. John's Church

Frescoes in the Church of St. John

Place in the Church