Photo from open sources
Turkish archaeologists managed to find something that might turn out to be the burial place of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker himself – a Christian saint and the prototype of Santa Claus (our Santa Claus).
Using ground penetrating radars, researchers found that the Church St. Nicholas in Demre conceals a dungeon with many voids regular rectangular shape. These voids are for sure tombs, and there is every chance to find the remains in one of them the legendary archbishop of Lycia.
The Turkish city of Demre stands on the ruins of the ancient city of Peace. By giving, it was here that Nikolai the Wonderworker was born and raised. It is widely believed that the body of the revered saint originally buried in 343 in the World, however in the 11th century the remains transported to Italian Bari. There today you can find the relics of the Saint Nicholas in the eponymous basilica. However, Turkish archaeologists believe that the body of an unknown was actually delivered to Italy priest, and the remains of the miracle worker remained at their original location. And now they are finally found.
While researchers can not access the burial sites (discovered voids) under the church, since during excavations valuable mosaics and bas-reliefs can be damaged. Dungeon 80 square meters should have been well preserved, since no one has penetrated it in recent centuries. Local officials note that the find should interest Russian pilgrims and tourists who enjoy the Church of St. Nicholas huge popularity, and the Wonderworker himself is revered almost on a par with Jesus Christ
Turkey
