Historical Sites
MYRA
Situated between Finike and Kas, Myra is 25 kms. from Finike
and 48 kms. from Kas. It was one of the most important cities
among the other six Lycian cities. It was settled in the
5th century B.C. Although it was originally a coastal town,
it has retreated from the sea because of the alluvium from
the Demre stream. It was abandoned in the 9th century A.D.
after the Arab invasion. The rock tombs, the theatre and
St. Nicholas Church have survived to make it a place worth
visiting.
St. Nicholas, born in 245 A.D. in Patara near Fethiye (known
variously as St.Nicholas, Father Christmas, Santa Claus,
Heilige Nikolaus and Pere Noel) died in 326 A.D., having
spent his life in Anatolia
Son of a wealthy family and of good education, he devoted
himself to mankind. Because of the assistance he rendered
to those around him, St. Nicholas was known as the protector
of children and sailors, and to this day the legend of Father
Christmas has continued to live as vividly as ever.
As the Bishop of Demre, by his religious and social work,
he solved the problems of the people in a humane way. After
he died he was buried in Demre and a church was built there
for his memory. In 108 Italian pirates stole some of his
bones and took them to Bari. In their haste they left a
few behind and these are today on display in the Antalya
Museum.
In a number of countries the death of St. Nicholas is commemorated
by special ceremonies and by giving presents to children,
and in fact it takes on the significance of a new year.
It was in the years 1951-55 that it was realized St. Nicholas
was Santa Claus (or Father Christmas) and this drew a lot
of attention to Turkey, with articles in the papers and
items on the radio, and in 1955 a Father Christmas stamp
was issued. After that date celebrations for Father Christmas
started to be held regularly.
The first Father Christmas symposium ever held in Antalya
was between 5-7 December 1983. This is now held annually
and is attended by religious and scientific people from
all over the world. In these symposiums, in keeping with
Anatolia's St. Nicholas' love for humanity, a call is made
to people of different religions and beliefs for peace,
friendship and brotherhood
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