DAVUTLAR

Previously it was called "Çanlı", Later. two rulers came to the region mastering Circassians and Nomads. One was Davut [David], the other one was Cafer [Jeffrey]. They earned their livings by stockbreeding. Davut set his people's tents to this place [Davutlar] and Cafer To Caferli. In time they formed buildings where Davutlar and Caferli of  today existed. Davutlar, one of the villages of those times became a subdistrict in 1922.

 The first settlement after the Turkish settlers, is the place called Köyceğiz at the east part of Davutlar. First of all, Tahtacılar village was constructed, This village is at the place called Hacıosmanlı, at the south of Davutlar upside of Davutköy region. Then, Circassians and Nomads  who came from Caucasia in 1878, founded Islamsanlı town of Davutlar.

Osmaniye Town was founded in1900s for the Turks coming from Crete.In 1936, for the immigrants from Romania and Bulgaria, Göçmen(Immigrant) Town- today it's called Yenimahalle   -   was   founded. So today's  Davutlar was formed. The buildings at  the east part of Cumhuriyet Square which is connecting these three towns, were built. by Molla Mustafa in 1926; and by extending, they formed Türkşanlı Town. Today this town is the centrum.

During the Greek invasion, people left Davutlar and migrated to Antalya and Central Anatolia. They have been back after The War of Independence. 70 years ago, during a cholera disease, many Circassians died of disease. Davutköy Cemetery was constructed then. According to rumours, people had to bury their dead close together.

Before the Republic, the total population of these four towns were bigger than today. [Roums and Armenians around.]

Still there are places called in Roum and Armenian names; such as, Garden of Apostol, Andonoki, Priest Roofs, etc. They dominated the commerce of those times. Later, the first grocery of Turks was opened by M.Ali Yavuz. 

Before the Republic, a primary school was founded at Osmaniye Town due to the request of the inhabitants. This school educated with old letters for a long time and the main primary school was founded in in 1934. It served until 1963. Davutlar was a province of Izmir until 1957; then became a subdistrict of Aydın.

DAVUTLAR KURŞUNLU MONASTERY

This   monastery   is   known   as   "Kurşunlu Monastery"  by the inhabitants. After you arrive in Davutlar through Kuşadası, follow the road on the left to Söke right from the square where Atatürk Statue is. Then you will see the house of Davutlar's former Mayor Cemalettin Özelbiçer. Follow the secondary-road going to right from the front of this house. After 10-12 kms. road ,takes half an hour, of slaughterhouse, you will reach this mysterious  monastery which  has  600  m. height and on the right-down side of the road.The monastery captures the magnificient view of Davutlar-Kuşadası and almost hides itself in the hillside.

Especially in the spring; the region is just like anatural hospital where the birds sing, all tones of green color meet the blue sea, flowers smell like heaven, spring waters flow; and Kurşunlu Monastery looks like watching Panianian [Cüzelçamlı), Davutlar, Kuşadası, Ephesus and Samos [Sisam Island) from far away.

The monastery, which is right at the back of Dilek National Park is filled with zoological and botanic richness, waits to be discovered and to serve for tourism, on the Samsun Mountains. You feel like going up to Mother Mary's House at Ephesus while climbing to Kurşunlu Monastery. Destination is the same, the road is the same and the view is more magnificient.

HISTORY OF KURŞUNLU MONASTERY

.It is an impressive region where natural beauty and historical richness meet. This part of Anatolia has been one of the religious centers as a result of intense Christian migration in the 8th century. Priests who escaped from the depression, built up churches and monastries in this region where they would be able to hide away and worship.

It is not known for sure where the name Kurşunlu Monastery" came from. It is supposed that it is a Byzantine form Orthodox nonastery belonging to the 11 th century. The reason of the height is known that its position   prevented   the   attacks   of   Icon-worshipers and Hereties, it was also used to educate.

In the monastery, there are a mess hall, warehouse, kitchen, monk rooms,clinic, chapel,  necropol   (cemetery],   monastery ramparts, rampart cellar and defence rooms.

The main quality of the Chapel's ceiling is the frescoes. During the Iconoclastic period symbolist and geometrical motifs; at the second half of the 9th century, after the Iconoclastic period, religious events or people were shown on the frescoes. Fish, rooster and grape are the main religious symbols.

On the frescoes, the pictures were made on a basin or wall. Frescoes are made freely through the ending of the ban on icon-making; also the religious unrestriction due to the dominatian of Seljuk State in the 12th century. The subjects were mostly from The Holy  Bible and the life of Jesus Christ.

Kurşunlu Monastery served as a religious school and missionary. The Chapel is cross planned and has a dome-style.

According  to datas from the sacred writings, St. Mary and St. Jean came to Ephesus in the year 42. This is told in the Bible written by St. Jean.According to the tradition, St. Jean wrote this   Bible   for   Ephesus'   people.It indicates the problems of Ephesus, the questions of the people and the answers to these questions.

 Mary, who let her apostles introduce Jesus to humanity was very fastidious on living in secret. So, Ephesus   became   the   sacred religious center of Christianity. That is why Selçuk in Ephesus, Scala Nuova(Kuşadası) and their surroundings are very rich with churches and monastries.