Santa Claus was from Turkey?

Juan Cole 12/25/2010

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The modern Turkish town of Demre is on the site of Myra, the birthplace of Saint Nicholas, whom the world now calls Santa Claus. If they are smart, they’ll build a huge amusement park and resort on the theme!

Turkey map showing Demre — Map of Turkey Showing Demre

A biography of the generous fourth-century saint is here.

Demre, Turkey

Here is a video on Saint Nicholas and Demre:

About the Author

Juan Cole is the founder and chief editor of Informed Comment. He is Richard P. Mitchell Professor of History at the University of Michigan He is author of, among many other books, Muhammad: Prophet of Peace amid the Clash of Empires and The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Follow him on Twitter at @jricole or the Informed Comment Facebook Page