Few historical characters boast a story as fascinating, complex and adventurous as San Nicola. This famous figure belongs to Italian popular culture and has become famous in the whole world, although not everyone knows his real name.
Would you like to discover more about it? Come with us along this amazing time travel to discover one of the oldest and most interesting Italian traditions!
Between the 4th and 5th century, San Nicola was the bishop of Myra, a town located in the current Turkey. His biography is intriguing and unique: he is considered a Saint by Catholics and Orthodoxes, his remains are conserved both in the Cathedrals of Bari and Venice, he lived during the late Roman Empire but is very popular nowadays in the US... how is all of this possible?
Also, there is no certainty about his real name either: is it Nicola, Niklaus, Nicholas, Nicolas or Santa Claus?
Actually, this is the name that most of the people know. Thanks to Coca Cola's sponsorship, Santa Claus entered children's collective imagination as a magic man who delivers gifts riding his flying sled with reindeers.
So... what is the true story of San Nicola?
According to legends, the bishop of Myra deeply loved young kids and children, who helped in various ways including saving a girl from prostitution and bringing children back to life after violent deaths. Therefore, San Nicola is a benefactor and a very positive character for children professing different religious faiths and coming from different parts of the world.
After a life full of adventures, his remains could not have a different destiny. In the 10th century, his rests were stolen and brought to Bari, where Nicola became the city Patron Saint. Few years later, some Venetian merchants attempted another theft but could not transport more than some bones to Venice's Cathedral, where "San Niccolò" became the protector of Serenissima's fleet. In the 11th century, one of his phalanxes was moved to Lorraine, where a miracle occured and lead to the spreading of his fame throughout Europe, wherehe became known as Saint Nicholas. Pilgrims then exported San Nicola's cult no the "New World", where he progressively assumed the positive value of what was considered as the main American Christmas symbol.
For these various reasons, Bari and Venice linked their history and traditions to San Nicola's character, enriching their incredible cultural heritage.
This is definitely another good reason to visit these two splendid cities in occasion of your next Italian holiday! Discover our holiday rentals in Veneto and in Puglia to choose your favourite for the vacation you have always dreamed of!
© Alice Pilastri
