Did you know that Santa Claus originated in Turkiye?
We’ve all grown up with the image of a jolly bearded man in a red suit living with his reindeer at the North Pole but the truth couldn’t be more different.
Saint Nicholas, who is known worldwide as Santa Claus, was born in the ancient Lycian city of Patara some time around 300AD, and was the son of a rich wheat merchant.
Much of the story of Santa Claus comes from when Saint Nicholas decided to help one of Patara’s wealthiest men after he fell into poverty.
One night he entered their house secretly and dropped into the open window of the eldest daughter a bag of gold which was enough to cover her dowry.
Following that, he also decided to help the two younger daughters but their windows were closed. Instead he put the money for them in a bag and dropped it down the chimney and so the legend of Santa Claus began.
But That's Not All...
He is also known as the Patron Saint of Sailors after saving a ship from sinking and bringing a drowned sailor back to life.
There are endless other stories of Saint Nicholas’s heroics including when he saved the lives of three Generals.
If you want to read the full story of Saint Nicholas and what he means to Türkiye, click here.
Visit St Nicholas Church
You’ll find St Nicholas Church in Demre, formerly Myra. It was built above the burial place of St Nicholas who was a Bishop of Myra.
The church is open every day between 8.30am and 5pm and entrance costs 390tl (approximately £10 as of November 2023)
If you would like to visit Myra / Demre during a hike, we stop there overnight on day 15 of our itinerary that encompasses the entire Lycian Way. Click here for details.