St. Nicholas Church and Museum
The respected religious personality of Saint Nicholas, who was born in Patara in the second half of the third century AD and became a bishop in Myra, made him a saint after his death. Saint Nicholas became the most popular saint in many European countries, especially in the former Russian Empire.
The tradition of Santa Claus, protector and delight of children in the northern countries of Europe, was integrated with the belief of Saint Nicholas and led to the creation of a semi-religious and extremely popular legendary character.
St. Nicholas Church (Aziz Nikolaos Kilisesi), an important monument of Byzantine art history became the most outstanding example of the Middle Byzantine Period with its architectural style and decoration.
