Davutlar, a small
quite town, populated 6000 in the winter and rising up to
35000 in the summer, is situated 15km south of Kusadasi, on
the way to National Park. The center of the town is a bit
farther from the sea, but fine powdery sand of the beaches
situated around, provide a good opportunity for relaxing.
The sparkling clear waters of the beaches also attract many
visitors of Davutlar.
Davutlar is covered in the contrasting greens of pines and
olive trees around Mount Samsun that provides a good
accommodation for rarely found trees aged 300 or 350 years,
and historical places , as well. The town is famous for its
fragrant fruits&vegetables grown on the fertile lands. Peach,
tangerine, tomato and watermelon are the principle
supporters of the town's agricultural economy. Also the hot
springs and thermal bath, with their pleasurable and
beneficial effects, attract many visitors.
Davutlar is ideal not only for lively days by the sea and
nature, also for leisurely days with local people who
reflect the warmly climate of Mediterranean on their
characters with hospitality. Providing many splendid vistas
and offering a peaceful atmosphere, Davutlar await to be
explored by the visitors.
Kursunlu Monastery
Situated on the side of the slope at an altitude of 600
meters above the sea level, The Monastery of Kursunlu, is
believed to be a Byzantine orthodox monastery built in the
2nd century AD. In the consequence of the immigrations of
early Christian believers, the region became an outstanding
religious center for education. The monastery, looking the
excellent view of Kusadasi and Davutlar, pretends to be
hidden from the view as it is located among the trees and
plants.
It was an ideal location to the Christian monks for escaping
from religious persecution and concealing themselves from
the attacks of Iconodules and non-believers. The long
distance of the monastery to the nearest settlements,
provided a safer protection and a better location to worship.
The monastery consists of a dining room, a cellar, a kitchen
and bedrooms for monks, a small chapel and a necropolis. The
ceiling of the across-planned chapel was ornamented with the
geometrical decorated frescoes from the Iconoclastical
period. As the rests were clearly representing the religious
events and personalities, it was obviously proved that they
were belonging to the second half of the 9th century, having
the traces of the post-iconoclastical. Painted either on an
overcoat or directly on the walls, frescoes were themed on
the life of Jesus Christ and the scenes from the gospel.
