The Church of St Nicholas
Myra & the Church of St Nicholas


A popular destination with visitors is Demre (Kale) where the famous rock tombs of Myra are to be found. Myra was an important city in the Lycian Federation and it is documented that St. Paul visited the city in 60 B.C. on his way to Rome. Much of the ancient city remains buried under the modern town but the theatre and rock tombs have been excavated. The step cliff to the west of the theatre is honeycombed with closely packed tombs of various form and size, though the majority are of the house type. Many of them are quite elaborate and some are decorated with colour reliefs. A few are of the temple type.
Myra is also home to the church of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus). The original church was destroyed by an earthquake in 529 A.D. The replacement was razed to the ground by Arab insurgents in 1043. An inscription records that Constantine 1X ordered it restored in the same year. What we see today is this church with some 12th century additions and 19th century restoration.
St. Nicholas, was born at Patara and devoted his life to helping the poor and needy. The legend of Santa Claus arose when Nicholas heard of a distinguished citizen of Patara who had fallen on hard times and was unable to provide a dowry for his three daughters. Nicholas wanted to help, so to avoid attention and not hurt anyone’s pride he visited the house at night. While they were asleep he threw a sack of gold through the open window of the eldest girl. She found the money in the morning and was saved from her bad situation. Later, Nicholas wished to leave the dowry for the other 2 girls but because their windows were closed he threw the money down the chimney. Hence, the secret bestowal of presents to children at Christmas.
Tour itinerary:
This trip may be taken on its own or combined with a half day visit to Kekova.