Demre–Kale

Myra was one of the oldest Lycian settlements. Coins from the 5th century B.C. reveal that Myra was an important Lycian trading centre, and among the first six large Lycian cities. It was completely destroyed by an earthquake in A.D. 140, but had a second golden era when it the Romans rebuilt and adorned it with splendid monuments. Today, carved Lycian tombs still overlook a magnificent Roman theatre.

Myra became the capital of the Lycian confederation in the 5th century A.D. St. Nicholas (Santa Claus), who was born in Patara, was the bishop of the city. He was famous for miracles and the patron saint of children and sailors. After his death, Myra became one of the Christian world’s sacred pilgrimages. The remains of the church of St. Nicholas still exist; Crusaders took the saint’s sarcophagus to Italy in the 11th century. St. Nicholas is depicted as a tall thin man who dressed in a hooded robe. A three-day St. Nicholas Festival is held in Demre around the saint’s official Feast Day, December 6.