Did you know that Santa Claus is the patron saint of Bari, and his remains are interred in this city? However, not all of him is in Bari; portions of his body can also be found in Venice and Rimini.
Our beloved Santa Claus, known in Italy as San Nicola, has his roots in the Dutch name Sinterklaas. He is revered as the great protector of Bari. His legacy of generosity, which began during his time as a bishop in Turkey, is the foundation of the Western tradition of giving gifts to children on Christmas Eve, the night of December 24.
| Saint Nicholas delivering gifts |
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| Saint Nicholas as Bishop of Myra |
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| Church of Saint Nicholas in Bari, Italy |
