The true origins of Santa Claus may come as a surprise when you learn that he was a factual person born in Turkey and also a saint who earned his status through charity and goodwill to all mankind. For hundreds of years, Santa Claus has been known by children as the chubby and happy man from the North Pole. He dresses in red, likes to eat mince pies and only gives presents to children that have been good.

Unfortunately, the North Pole, a red Santa suit and his name are pure myths formed over the years by colorful influences from various cultures that celebrate Christmas.  The true story of the origins of Santa Claus starts in the small town of Patara on the South west coast of Turkey.

In 270 AD a Man called Nicholas was Born

At the time of his birth, Patara was part of the Christian Lycian Empire. The dedication of Nicholas to his religion and his kind nature led to him becoming the Bishop of Myra by the time he was 50. It is said that during a time of great poverty in the Myra area, Bishop Nicholas used to drop bags of gold down the chimneys of houses so that no-one would know the charity came from him. He would also give nuts, sweets and fruit to children who were well behaved.

His death in 343 AD on December the 6th was greatly mourned but it was not until the following centuries that Bishop Nicholas would be declared a saint of sailors and children. He also became Russia's most favored Saint in the 10th Century. For hundreds of years, people mourned his death around the world and December the 6th became known as the Feast of Saint Nicholas.

It was not until the 1800's that the transformation from Saint Nicholas to the Santa Claus we know today began to take place.  Printed magazines at that time were becoming more accessible and widely read. In 1886, a famous drawing by Thomas Nast portrayed Saint Nicholas with a full white beard and red fur suit which covered a large belly.

Various drawings and advertising campaigns following 1886 have introduced the public to the idea of Santa Claus riding with red nose reindeer, chomping on delicious mince pies and living with elves at his home in the North Pole. The origins of Santa Claus have come certainly come a long way, from a humble bishop whose greatest passion was charity, to a jolly character who comes from the North Pole and rides through the snowy sky on his sleigh.

So that is the Origins of Santa Claus but How Did He Get his Name?

Saint Nicholas died on December the 6th and around this time, a leading figure in the Christian religion decided to allocate the date of December the 25th to the birth of Jesus.  Slowly over hundreds of years, a connection was established between the two events. Saint Nicholas's name was changed to, "Sinter Klass" which eventually changed to "Santa Claus." The feast of Saint Nicholas was taken literally and applied to the 25th of December when families sit down to feast on Turkey, stuffing and Christmas cake

Is it Possible to Visit the Birth Place of Santa Claus?

For those who want to keep children entertained with the idea of modern Christmas, you may choose to head to the North Pole. However If history is your passion, head to the south west coast of Turkey. The birth place of Santa Claus took place in Patara which unfortunately has no remains of the time he spent there.

Instead you should head up the coast to a town called Demre which is the old town of Myra where Santa Claus earned his reputation for goodwill and kindness to all men.  Pay a visit to the local church which is visited by millions of people every year who wish to pay their respects to the man who would become loved by children all over the world. His name was Saint Nicholas, otherwise known as Santa Claus.

Natalie Sayin, My Destination Antalya
December 2011