Hordes Descend on the District for ‘Santa Claus’
Demre’s Santa Claus Church Attracts Seven Times More Visitors Than Its Population
The St. Nicholas Memorial Museum, also known as Santa Claus Church, in Antalya’s Demre district is a huge draw for tourists, particularly in the leadup to the New Year. The district, which has a population of just 30 thousand, has been flooded with tourists who are eager to visit the church.
Within the Demre district, six ruins and museums, as well as other attractions like Patara, Xanthos, Simena and Myra ruins, St. Nicholas Memorial Museum, Andriake, and Lycia museums are popular stops for both local and foreign tourists. It is widely accepted that St. Nicholas, also known as ‘Santa Claus’, was born in the Patara region of Demre district around 300 AD. He later served as a bishop in the region and died in Myra.
In 2022, a total of 235,126 tourists visited the tomb of St. Nicholas, who is considered to be from Demre. The following year, until November 2023, this number reached 232,478. This highlights a significant increase in the number of visitors compared to previous years. The figure equates to around seven times the population of Demre, indicating just how popular the site is.
Mayor Gülsüm Cengiz expressed her satisfaction with the level of tourist interest in the district, describing the positive impact it has had on the local economy. She emphasized that the district’s economic development has been spurred by tourism and pledged to prioritize the preservation of the church, which she described as a cultural asset.
Notably, the church is currently on the temporary list of world heritage sites. Built in the 5th century AD and completed in the 11th century, it boasts depictions of miracles attributed to St. Nicholas. The church is also home to a sarcophagus, decorated with fish scales and acanthus leaves, that is believed to belong to St. Nicholas. Furthermore, visitors can view bones believed to be those of St. Nicholas at the Antalya Museum.
The increase in visitors to the church has been welcomed by locals and tourists alike. Harun Toklu, who came from Germany for a holiday, expressed his children’s excitement at the opportunity to see the Santa Claus church.
It seems that as the year draws to a close, the number of visitors to St. Nicholas’ church will continue to climb, driven by the allure of its historical and cultural significance. This enduring appeal will ensure that the Santa Claus Church remains a must-see destination for pilgrims and tourists alike for years to come.
