Italy Located in the Basilica of San Nicola, Bari town are the remains of the character considered to be "the origin of the legend of Santa Claus".
Every child knows that Santa Claus travels around the world in his reindeer-drawn sleigh, delivering Christmas presents down chimneys, and then returns home to the North Pole.
When visitors visit Bari, a small town located at the heel of Italy's boot, they will be told another story, about a thousand-year-old tomb believed to contain the remains of Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas (Nick).
Saint Nicholas is recognized worldwide as the inspiration for the legend of Santa Claus. Nicholas was a real saint, born in Myra, an ancient town in Türkiye.
The Basilica of San Nicola in Bari, which houses the remains of St Nicholas. Photo: Alamy Stock
Saint Nick was born around 270 and died 67 years later. He was revered throughout the Mediterranean for his generosity, especially in Bari. It is believed that this particular generosity led Bari sailors to steal his remains in 1087 and transport them to their town.
Today, most of the remains believed to belong to St. Nicholas rest beneath the Basilica of San Nicola, which bears his name and is also the town's largest church. It is regularly visited by devotees and tourists from all over the world.
Local director Antonio Palumbo says the people of Bari are proud of three things: good food, pristine beaches and St. Nicholas. They keep pictures or statues of the saint in their wallets and cars as good luck charms and consider him a hero. As a result, they are somewhat confused when faced with Christmas and think that St. Nicholas has nothing to do with modern Christmas traditions.
Maria Rita Mauro, head of the local Tourism Promotion Office, said people worship St. Nick because he is their patron saint. "We don't consider him Santa Claus, we simply consider him St. Nick," Mauro said.
Bari's St. Nick celebrations begin on the night of December 5. People attend Mass at dawn the next morning and enjoy hot chocolate, pancakes and corn fritters. This is followed by a street festival with music as the statue of St. Nick is paraded through the old town to the giant Christmas tree. Bars and pastry shops are busy selling out.
The Basilica of San Nicola seen from outside. Photo: Alamy Stock
Although the people of Bari are reluctant to acknowledge the connection between St. Nick and Santa Claus, wanting to protect the image of their beloved saint, the local church supports the connection. Father Giovanni Distante of the Basilica of San Nicola, said that "they are the same person".
"Santa Claus is simply an evolution, a transformation of the figure of Saint Nicholas, a saint respected worldwide," said Father Distante. Father Gerardo Cioffari said the image of Saint Nicholas delivering gifts is "a historical event" and not simply a legend.
Things are slowly changing in Bari as more and more people are looking to leverage this connection to turn the town into a tourist attraction, especially during Christmas.
Paco Ricchiuti, head of Velo Service, a local travel agency, has started to cash in on the connection. He organizes guided tours of the local basilica and museum, which houses relics of St. Nicholas, and the stadium that bears his name. In the historic district of Bari Vecchia, visitors can admire several murals of the local hero, including one depicting St. Nicholas practicing yoga.
Tourists take photos with a St. Nicholas impersonator during Paco Ricchiuti's tour. Photo: CNN
Tourists can also drink the famous San Nicola beer made from local ingredients and buy souvenir T-shirts with San Nicola's image. But experts still say the town should do more to attract visitors.
"I'm so happy that Santa Claus is actually buried in my hometown. Bari is where the legend of Santa Claus originated. People all over the world envy this and we don't realize how lucky we are," said Paco Ricchiuti.
Anh Minh (According to CNN )
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