Demre is the Official Hometown of Santa Claus in Antalya

Did you know that Santa Claus lived in Antalya and is not a myth?

Santa Claus was born in Patara (in modern-day Antalya province, Turkey) in the second half of the 3 BC century. He was bishop in Myra in Lycia. Originally named St. Nicholas, in many European countries, particularly in the former Tsarist Russia was the most popular saint. In Germany' Freiburg, Italian cities of Bari and Naples, the island of Sicily, St. Nicholas is in a special respected. He is recognized as Santa Claus in the Dutch and English languages. Moreover, he is known as the protector of the New York City in the U.S.A. 

In addition to this, he is the protector of children in all over the world. All of these have led to the creation of a type the legendary and very popular person who is Santa Claus or St. Nicholas. 

Santa Claus, Antalya

Images of Santa Claus were further popularized through Haddon Sundblom’s depiction of him for The Coca-Cola Company’s Christmas advertising in the 1930s. The popularity of the image spawned urban legends that Santa Claus was invented by The Coca-Cola Company or that Santa wears red and white because they are the colors used to promote the Coca-Cola brand.

In popular culture, Santa Claus appears in the weeks before Christmas in department stores or shopping malls, or at parties. Actually this is a North American tradition associated with Santa Claus are derived from a number of Christmas traditions from various countries.

St. Nicholas Church

St. Nicholas Church is a monument of Byzantine art in the history of the Middle Byzantine Period, the most outstanding example of architectural style. In the 5th century AD, Myra (Demre) was the state capital of Lycia. The Archbishop of Myra in Anatolia is the second largest religious authority after the death of St. Nicholas, has played a major role in the increase of the city's reputation. Each year thousands of foreign tourists visit Santa Claus in the town of Demre in Antalya.

St. Nicholas Church-Antalya

Myra-Antalya

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Did you know that Santa Claus lived in Antalya and is not a myth?

 

Santa Claus was born in Patara (in modern-day Antalya province, Turkey) in the second half of the 3 BC century. He was bishop in Myra in Lycia. Originally named St. Nicholas, in many European countries, particularly in the former Tsarist Russia was the most popular saint. In Germany' Freiburg, Italian cities of Bari and Naples, the island of Sicily, St. Nicholas is in a special respected. He is recognized as Santa Claus in the Dutch and English languages. Moreover, he is known as the protector of the New York City in the U.S.A. In addition to this, he is the protector of children in all over the world. All of these have led to the creation of a type the legendary and very popular person who is Santa Claus or St. Nicholas. 

Santa Claus, Antalya

Images of Santa Claus were further popularized through Haddon Sundblom’s depiction of him for The Coca-Cola Company’s Christmas advertising in the 1930s. The popularity of the image spawned urban legends that Santa Claus was invented by The Coca-Cola Company or that Santa wears red and white because they are the colors used to promote the Coca-Cola brand.

In popular culture, Santa Claus appears in the weeks before Christmas in department stores or shopping malls, or at parties. Actually this is a North American tradition associated with Santa Claus are derived from a number of Christmas traditions from various countries.

St. Nicholas Church

St. Nicholas Church is a monument of Byzantine art in the history of the Middle Byzantine Period, the most outstanding example of architectural style. In the 5th century AD, Myra (Demre) was the state capital of Lycia. The Archbishop of Myra in Anatolia is the second largest religious authority after the death of St. Nicholas, has played a major role in the increase of the city's reputation. Each year thousands of foreign tourists visit Santa Claus in the town of Demre in Antalya.

St. Nicholas Church-Antalya

Myra-Antalya

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Antalya-Belek Garden of Religions

Since 2004, three of the world's great religions have been united under one roof there. It's a meeting place where Christians, Muslims and Jews pursue their beliefs in peaceful co- existence. 

A mosque, a church and a synagogue in immediate proximity to one another? 

'Yes, there is such a thing here. It's unique in the world,' said the Turkish tour guide, not the least bit devoid of pride. The project was initiated by Betuyab, an association of investors in the tourism industry, and opened in 2004 in an international spotlight. 

But the excursion programme of the guide's tour organization gives it little more than a mention. Vacationers have to search to find out more. At the hotel reception, the existence of the religious facility is known, but not much else. The tour guide said the interest among guests is too low. 

Father Rainer Korten sees things differently as he has plenty of feedback indicating the opposite from vacationers. It has calmed down at the facility, which initially received a lot of attention from outside Turkey. 

'The big wind that swirled in the beginning primarily with an eye toward Turkey's negotiations on entering the European Union is hardly noticeable now,' said Korten, a Catholic priest from Antalya. Services are well attended, which is in the interests of Christians residing in Turkey. 

The Garden of Religions lies about four kilometres from central Belek and is easily reached by taxi or bus. It's only about a half hour drive from Antalya airport. All three houses of God are open to groups and individuals for both regular and devotional visits. 

The site's architectural design encourages reciprocal encounters. A fountain in the centre connects the paths to the mosque, church and synagogue. The paths themselves are flooded with light and radiate comfort and a feeling of security and belonging. 

'There is only one God. We are indeed all brothers and sisters,' said imam Sonay Yildirim, who happily invites visitors to join him on a guided tour. 

The atmosphere of the Christian Sunday service is familiar and open. Many Christians, who have chosen to live in Turkey, come from the nearby cities of Antalya or Alanya. Every unknown person is given a friendly greeting and accepted in the spiritual community. After the service, there is a chance to dine together and have a chat. After that, it becomes quiet again in the garden of religions in Belek.

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