This ancient town is located near modern-day Derme in Turkey and it basically has 3 claims to fame. At one time it was a leading town of the Lycian Union and as the years passed it eventually became the capital city of Lycia.
Its exact founding date is unknown and it is not mentioned prior to the 1st century BC in historical records. However, a defensive wall in the area was dated to the 5th century BC. (source)
It is possible for cities to exist without being mentioned in historical records. We have no argument either way as we know records can be lost, destroyed or not complete.
In 42 BC, Brutus did extort funds from the city after destroying one of the other leading cities in the Lycian Union. While this is not one of the three claims to fame, the fact that Myra’s harbor was a ‘ major trans-shipment point for ships carrying grain from Egypt to Rome and other parts of the Empire.’ (source).
The existence of that port was part of the second claim to fame this city had to boast about. But we will deal with the first one before getting to that topic.
#1. Myra once had a great temple of the goddess Artemis Eleuthera (a distinctive form of Cybele, the ancient mother goddess of Anatolia), said to be Lycia’s largest and most splendid building. It was built on large grounds with beautiful gardens and had an inner court defined by columns, an altar and a statue of the goddess. Not a trace of it remains today, however, since St. Nicholas (the bishop of Myra in the 4th century AD) in his zeal to stamp out paganism in the region, had the temple of Artemis, along with many other temples, completely destroyed. (source)
There is little word on when this temple was built originally. After Myra was destroyed in 141 AD, the city was rebuilt as was the temple. Details are sketchy as historians and different websites all focus on the 3rd claim to fame. But first, we go to the second.
#2. Paul changed ships at Myra’s port on his way to his trial in Rome, in about 60 AD, after he had been arrested in Jerusalem after being charged with inciting to riot. Andriace was a chief port for Egyptian vessels passing through the area; Egypt was the breadbasket of the Roman Empire and the imperial government had a fleet of grain ships that carried grain to Rome and other parts of the Empire. Andriace was a major trans-shipment point for grain from Alexandria – grain came from the plain near Myra, and was also possibly brought in by boats, to be shipped onwards from Lycia. It is likely that Paul made the trip to Rome on a grain ship, these were often used to transport passengers as well. (Ibid)
Little is mentioned of this fact as well. It is unlikely that Paul had much influence in the city or that he stayed very long. However, there was a Jewish community at Myra in the 2nd century AD (source).
Christianity did not lag far behind as the 3rd claim to fame took place in about the 4th century AD
#3. St. Nicholas’s church in Demre (also called Kale) is about a mile from the theater’s ruins. St. Nicholas was born in Patara, another Lycian city just west of Myra, around 300 A.D. Little is known of his life other than that he was bishop of Myra and may have been imprisoned during the final years of Emperor Diocletian’s reign. (source)
This was the man whose life inspired the modern-day myth of Santa Clause. He was supposed to be a very generous man, giving his wealth to the poor
Over the years, his reputation as a generous saint persisted and he began to be called “Sinterklaas” in the Netherlands. You can thank 19th century author Washington Irving for the modern portrayal of St. Nicholas that persists today. (source)
This is the claim to fame that gets the most press. Although other important events took place in this area and city and that the amphitheater held about 6500 people at one time, this is what gets the press.
That isn’t a bad thing as in today’s world examples for doing good unselfishly are vastly needed. Some say that the first church of St. Nicholas was built in the 6th century AD while others mark it as the 4th century AD.
It is hard to say when it was originally built because the current church standing on the site was not built until the 9th century AD, with a renovation taking place in the 11th century AD (source). other renovations took place in the 19th and 20th centuries as well.
The biggest question surrounding St. Nicholas and this church is where his bones are buried. there seems to be some dispute over this event
Traditionally, it was believed that the bones of St. Nicholas were stolen by Italian sailors during the 11th century. Demre—called Myra in ancient times—was occupied by Arab forces during this period. And the stolen bones were believed to have been taken to the crypt of the Basilica di San Nicola on the southeast coast of Italy.
Then, in 1993, a team of archaeologists claimed the Mediterranean island of Gemile was the saint’s final resting place. They came to this conclusion based on circumstantial evidence, namely that the island had been called St. Nicholas by sailors, archaeological remains dated to the 4th century, and that ruins there suggest a processional burial. Under this theory, archaeologists believe the bones were moved to Myra to evade a 7th century Arab fleet. (source)
The biggest question that comes to mind, if they find the actual bones, is how will they verify that they are from St. Nicholas? Since there is not much known about his life, it will be hard to use DNA to confirm his identity.
But they may try anyways. What is often overlooked in this town are the many rock-cut tombs high up n the mountainside. They are an official tourist attraction just not something that over shadows Santa Claus.
The dramatic tombs of ancient Myra were expertly carved out of a sheer, rocky cliff. The tombs show a variety of architectural styles: Some resemble ornate temples, though most look like modest houses. (source)
The town of Myra has a nice solid history although it has been attacked many times over throughout the different historical periods. There are still other remains that can be seen at this site. There is also hope that the city is still intact as it has been buried for many centuries under mud, silt from the river, and the town of Demre
Most of the ancient city is now covered by Demre and alluvial silts, for it is located on the river Demre Cay in a fertile alluvial plain. Today this large plain is almost covered with greenhouses stuffed full of tomatoes. (source)
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