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.
How to Go?…
The monastery is in the 12th km at the
right of a modest road, that the highway linking Davutlar
to Soke turns into. It may be visited by a private car or
by a jeep safari. |
