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The golden crucifix and statues atop the entrance to the altar in The Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas in Newcastle upon Tyne’s City Centre. Photo by K. Mitch Hodge-

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Church of St. Nicholas

The Church of Saint Nicholas at Myra, also known as the St Nicholas Museum, is an ancient Byzantine church that chronicles the life of this famous Christian Saint and is one of the world’s best preserved churches.

St. Nicholas Church is a museum in modern Demre, Antalya Province, Turkey, of an ancient East Roman basilica church in the ancient city of Myra.

It was built on top of the grave of St Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian bishop of Myra who was an important religious figure for Eastern Orthodox Christians and Roman Catholics, as well as the historical inspiration for Santa Claus.

Its use dates back to Justinian the Great’s construction of the Roman Empire’s state church in the sixth century. The basilica is on UNESCO’s list of potential World Heritage Sites.

1. Who is St. Nicholas?

The venerable bishop Nicholas of Myra was one of the most powerful leaders in the Christian church in the fourth century. As per mythology, he was born in nearby Patara and participated in theological debates about the nature of Christ.

Pilgrims came for centuries to visit his tomb, which was located in a church built outside the walls of Myra. The basilica, which had three naves and apses, was rebuilt twice, once in the sixth century (by Emperor Justinian) and once in the eighth or ninth century.

The most recent reconstruction, completed at the turn of the twentieth century, was funded by the last czar, Nicholas II.

2. What he did to get such honour?

In numerous cities and countries throughout Europe, Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, unmarried people, and students.

As was common for early Christian saints, his reputation grew among the pious, and his legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus (“Saint Nick”) through Sinterklaas.

3. The Church of St. Nicholas renovations

Although the church may have been built on the current site shortly after St. Nicholas’ death, the church that exists today has its roots in the 9th century. It has gone through two refurbishments.

Tsar Nicholas I had the church refurbished in 1862 after Constantine IX rebuilt it in 1043. Turkish archaeologists have also recently completed some repair work.

4. Today’s Church of St. Nicholas

The golden crucifix and statues atop the entrance to the altar in The Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas in Newcastle upon Tyne’s City Centre. Photo by K. Mitch Hodge-

Regardless of its small size, the Church of Saint Nicholas is phenomenal and popular with pilgrims and foreign visitors alike. The majestic arched rooms and the nearby small gallery with the remains of some wonderful mosaics and frescoes are specific key features.

The church contains a number of ancient tombs, the first in a gallery adjacent to the first chapel. The most remarkable tomb is located in a separate, narrow gallery and is said to be that of St. Nicholas himself, though his remains are more likely to have been stolen – apparently by Italian sailors who whisked them away to Bari, where the Basilica of Saint Nicholas was built. 

There are more mosaics in the main chapel, which also houses the church’s altar and some white marble steps. The church is open to the public all year, with reduced hours during the winter months.

5. Getting to the Church of St. Nicholas

The church is located in Myra, on Antalya’s southern coast, just off the D400. Buses run frequently from Antalya to Finike, about 30 kilometers to the east. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to catch a local bus heading west; or else, you’ll need to hire a taxi for the final leg of the journey.

6. The Church of St. Nicholas’ interior

The beautiful ceiling decorations will undoubtedly charm you when you visit the church. The fresco art depict the lives of Saint Nicholas and Saint Benedictus, as well as Old Testament themes. Kosmas Dami谩n Assam, a painter, completed the decoration.

Bernardo Spinetti’s stunning stucco decorations adorn the entire interior. The crown chandelier, a gift from Tsar Nicholas II, is one of the church’s most prominent features.

Until today, very little authentic furniture has been kept. Aside from the organ, the altar (from 1737) and the wooden pulpit are both original.

7. Dig sites for archaeology

The golden crucifix and statues atop the entrance to the altar in The Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas in Newcastle upon Tyne’s City Centre. Photo by K. Mitch Hodge-

Archaeological excavations in the Church began in 1988, under the direction of Prof. S. Yldz t眉ken of Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey. The study has discovered some of the monastery facility’s northern section, as well as the small chapels around the main hall, one of which noticeably consists of vibrant frescoes detailing the saint’s life and miracles, and a desecrated sarcophagus thought to be the original burial place from which his remains were forcefully transferred to Bari in 1087.

8. The Church of St. Nicholas events

The church itself switches between free admission in the morning and classical music concerts in the early evening. Furthermore, the church is reserved each Sunday morning for services held by the Hussite Church, which has been the legal owner of the building since the end of WWII.

9. Is Church of St. Nicholas only in one country?

The golden crucifix and statues atop the entrance to the altar in The Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas in Newcastle upon Tyne’s City Centre. Photo by K. Mitch Hodge-

St. Nicholas  is an international church and has multiple branches across the world. For example, there are over 500 St. Nicholas churches in the United Kingdom.

10. When was the Church of St. Nicholas built?

Every Orthodox church, or 褉邪胁芯褋谢邪胁薪芯 e褉泻胁懈 in Russian, has a St. Nicholas icon. He is usually depicted with snow-white hair and a beard. He is said to be the prototype for the modern-day Santa Claus.

History. The church was built on the foundations of an older Christian church where Saint Nicholas had worked as a bishop in AD 520. Justinian I helped with the reconstruction.

According to Nestor the Chronicler, also known in Russian as 械褋褌芯褉 械褌芯懈褋械 (Nestar Letapisets), the first temple in tribute of St. Nicholas was built in the 9th century in Kiev, Ukraine’s current capital, on the grave of the slain Prince Askold.