St. Nicholas
Church
The burial church of the 4th-century bishop who became Santa Claus — 1,700 years of faith, frescoes, and an archaeological mystery still being solved.
Where Faith Became Legend
Step below modern street level into the church where Saint Nicholas — the real Santa Claus — served as bishop, performed miracles, and was laid to rest seventeen centuries ago.
The Church of St. Nicholas (Noel Baba Kilisesi in Turkish) sits in the heart of Demre, built in AD 520 by Emperor Justinian I on the foundations of an even older chapel where Nicholas had ministered. Over the centuries, floods, earthquakes, and layers of silt the church several metres below today's ground level, creating the sunken sanctuary visitors experience today.
The basilica holds remarkable Byzantine wall frescoes depicting the saint's life and miracles, intricate 11th-century floor mosaics, and the stone sarcophagus believed to be the original burial place of Saint Nicholas before his remains were taken to Bari, Italy, in 1087. Side chapels reveal vibrant painted scenes that survived centuries underground.
Listed on UNESCO's tentative World Heritage list since 2000, the church continues to yield discoveries. In December 2024, excavations led by Assoc. Prof. Ebru Fatma Fındık uncovered a limestone sarcophagus beneath the basilica — approximately 2 metres long with a gabled lid, buried 1.5 metres below the mosaic floor. Carbon dating is underway to determine whether this is the saint's original burial. The "Legacy for the Future" project continues to add new chapters to one of Christianity's most enduring stories.
Most tour groups rush through in 20 minutes. Don't. Visit in the late afternoon when the groups have gone — the light through the upper windows creates a golden glow across the frescoes that you won't see midday. Pay attention to the floor mosaics near the apse; they're easy to miss but extraordinary. And step into each side chapel — the smaller ones often have the most vivid paintings.
Highlights of the Church
From Bishop to Santa Claus
Pratik Bilgiler
Tips for Your Visit
Explore St. Nicholas Further
What's Nearby
Frequently Asked
€17 (2026). The MuseumPass Türkiye E-Card (€165) and The Mediterranean E-Card (€90) are both accepted for free entry. Tickets at the entrance, cash and card accepted. A pass covers St. Nicholas (€17), Myra (€13) and Andriake (€4) — €34 of entrance fees in Demre, so it pays off only if you visit more sites elsewhere in Turkey.
Both, in a sense. Nicholas was originally buried here in 343 CE. In 1087, Italian sailors broke open the sarcophagus and took most of his remains to Bari, Italy. Some bone fragments were later taken to Venice. A small fragment is displayed in the Antalya Archaeological Museum. The 2024 sarcophagus discovery beneath the church may add new evidence — carbon dating is underway. Full story →
Yes — it's the same building. Locally known as Noel Baba Kilisesi (Santa Claus Church) or Noel Baba Müzesi (Santa Claus Museum). Saint Nicholas, the 4th-century Bishop of Myra whose generosity inspired the Santa Claus legend, was buried here. How Nicholas became Santa Claus →
Once a year — on December 6, St. Nicholas Day. An Orthodox liturgy is conducted by the Metropolitan of Myra, with religious leaders, officials, and pilgrims attending. It's the only day the church functions as a place of worship rather than a museum. Expect large crowds. Pilgrimage guide →
Not yet — but it has been on Turkey's UNESCO Tentative List since 2000. This means it's formally nominated but awaiting full inscription. The ongoing excavations (including the 2024 sarcophagus discovery) may strengthen the case for World Heritage status.
The frescoes in the northeast annex depict scenes from Saint Nicholas's life and miracles — the only surviving Nicholas life-cycle frescoes in Turkey. Other wall paintings show apostles, saints, and Christian iconography from the 11th century. They're faded but readable, especially in afternoon light. Architecture & frescoes guide →
Yes — in December 2024, a limestone sarcophagus was discovered beneath the basilica during the "Legacy for the Future" excavation. Approximately 2 metres long with a gabled lid, found 1.5 metres below the mosaic floor alongside lamp fragments and animal bones. Carbon dating is ongoing. Full excavation details →