Church of St. Nicholas
Church of St. Nicholas
4.5
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
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37 within 3 miles
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- Олимпия АMoscow, Russia18 contributionsAmazing place.Amazing place. We took a trip as part of an excursion from Pegas Touristik. We were very lucky with our guide, Serdach. They talked very interestingly about the history of the church. On his recommendation, after the trip I purchased a book - “New Miracles of St. Nicholas”, author Vladimir Gubanov. We were out of season, so there were no problems with crowds of tourists at the sarcophagus of the Saint. Before the trip, I read reviews about the church shop that they go to just before the excursion, but still decided to buy on the spot an icon consecrated in Bari, where the relics of the Saint are kept. The cost of icons is from $60 and above, myra oil - $15, candles - $5. In the museum shop opposite the price starts from 600 liras, which is much cheaper. If the question is fundamental, I recommend taking it there, since the icons in both cases are illuminated, according to the sellers.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 19, 2024
- Andrew V95 contributionsSaint Nicholas, pray to God for us!For a very long time they wanted to get to the temple where Saint Nicholas of Myra lived and labored. Finally it was possible to achieve this. There is a very special feeling in this holy place. The centuries separating our time and that time dissolve here. Usually Orthodox services are held here twice a year: in December and May (you need to find out in advance).Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten May 26, 2024
- happykoabugHonolulu, Hawaii704 contributionsBeautiful frescosI didn't know what to expect from this church but it had the most frescos out of all the churches, basilicas, and mosques that we visited in Turkiye. I can't comment of the fee as I was on a tour and it was included. My advise is to purchase the 15 day pass so that you can get into numerous sights at one general cost.Visited April 2024Traveled with friendsWritten May 30, 2024
- ОЛьга КMoscow, Russia1,423 contributionsSpecial energy, prayer - call it whatever you wantI am not a churchgoer, but visiting this temple left me with surprisingly warm and bright feelings. Special energy, prayer - call it whatever you want, but I wanted to stay here as long as possible, to look at every stone, every fresco. Of course, I approached the sarcophagus - it is now streaming myrrh, which, according to our guide, is a rather rare phenomenon. If you wish, you can leave a note with requests for the most secret things. There weren’t very many people, some were praying, others were just walking around and watching. But no one bothered anyone. It would be nice to come here on the day of memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker - this is the only day when a service is held in the temple. Entrance to the temple, which now has the status of a museum, is paid (if as part of an excursion, then 20 euros per person), but, in my opinion, this is a case when there is no need to spare money.Visited May 2024Traveled soloWritten June 11, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
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Dean-Traveller
Mugla, Türkiye1,241 contributions
Jul 2021
St Nicholas Church is also known as St Nicholas Museum. It is in a pedestrian area in central Demre. It is signposted from the main coat road (D400). Park and walk the couple of hundred metres through the flat level pedestrian area.
Be careful not to traumatise your children by showing them Santa’s tomb. The bones of St Nicholas were removed in 1071 and buried in Bari in Italy. The building is a church from around 600 AD, built on the foundations of the older church which was the seat St Nicholas’ bishopric. The mosaics and frescoes which remain are in good condition.
There is a small gift shop and cafe in the well-kept garden of the museum. All can be seen in 30 to 40 minutes.
Entrance fee is 70TL, included with Museum pass or MüzeKart. MüzeKart, which is available to Turkish citizens or residents, costs 60TL for an annual pass and can be purchased at St. Nicholas Museum or at nearby Myra. MüzeKart can’t be bought at Andriake, but it is one of the 300 sites to which it gives free access.
Nicholas was born in about 300 AD in nearby Patara as the son of a wealthy merchant. Upon the death of his father, Nicholas spent his inheritance to help the poor and needy. One of his deeds was to give anonymous gifts to dowry-less village girls. To do that, he dropped bags of coins down the chimneys of their houses. This gift from heaven allowed them to marry. The Santa Klaus gift shop across the road from the museum does not do him justice.
Be careful not to traumatise your children by showing them Santa’s tomb. The bones of St Nicholas were removed in 1071 and buried in Bari in Italy. The building is a church from around 600 AD, built on the foundations of the older church which was the seat St Nicholas’ bishopric. The mosaics and frescoes which remain are in good condition.
There is a small gift shop and cafe in the well-kept garden of the museum. All can be seen in 30 to 40 minutes.
Entrance fee is 70TL, included with Museum pass or MüzeKart. MüzeKart, which is available to Turkish citizens or residents, costs 60TL for an annual pass and can be purchased at St. Nicholas Museum or at nearby Myra. MüzeKart can’t be bought at Andriake, but it is one of the 300 sites to which it gives free access.
Nicholas was born in about 300 AD in nearby Patara as the son of a wealthy merchant. Upon the death of his father, Nicholas spent his inheritance to help the poor and needy. One of his deeds was to give anonymous gifts to dowry-less village girls. To do that, he dropped bags of coins down the chimneys of their houses. This gift from heaven allowed them to marry. The Santa Klaus gift shop across the road from the museum does not do him justice.
Written July 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack
Amsterdam, NY8 contributions
Nov 2020
As a Dutch boy, I grew up celebrating St. Nicholas every year, until my mother told me that it wasn't him, bringing all those presents. Because of those good memories, it was very special to visit the Church of St. Nicholas and learn more about the history of the person. The church is impressive and has a certain silent dignity, like St. Nicholas, but a lot of restoration could be done, particularly on the frescos. Very much worth the trip, for a former believer like me
Written December 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dinka M
Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina184 contributions
Sep 2020
This church is worth a visit. Even if no believer should visit it because of its historical value. Saint Nicholas is the protector of my family, so this tour had a special meaning for me. It is noticeable that the church is almost 2000 years old and the frescoes that have survived are imposing. The mosaic on the floor is wonderful. 45min is enough for the tour.
Written September 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pilipilipop
24 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
17 euros entry per person is excessive. This is about the same Award as going to the Louvre Paris Museum. Otherwise the church is beautiful, but there is no explanation. Except to take the audio guide at extra cost. It is a very old church so not very big and simple enough. In short in 15 minutes you went around. We really have the Impression of being pigeons.
Automatically translated
Written August 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lanni
Gaziantep, Türkiye5,940 contributions
Nov 2020 • Friends
Not too far away from Myra Ancient City, there is Church St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas was born and the bishop of Patara known as St. Claus (or Sinterklaas in Dutch). Thus East Roman Basilica church is decorated with beautiful vibrant frescoes of life and miracles of St. Nicholas, amazing architecture, and one of UNESCO tentative heritage sites. There is also a broken sarchopagus which was believed to be the first burial of St. Nicholas.
Written November 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Branislav J
Novi Sad, Serbia4 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Costs 125 tl for entrance but a lot of things are closed for reconstruction. I was believing there is more to see and read but nothing about it, so you have to come with some knowledge about it before. It is too expensive for a quick tour of like 15 min. Comparing to Likya museum and Myra this is worthless.
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Petra Prostějov
10 contributions
Jul 2020
It depends on what are you expecting. If you want to stay on the place where St. Nikolaos ("Santa") worked and was buried, it is good place for you. If you want to see something very nice and very special, there are many other places to visit. There is just a church and the statue of St. Nikolaos + 1 modern mosaic in front of the church. And a statue of Santa in front of the shop next to the church.
See pictures and decide...
See pictures and decide...
Written August 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jimbobfruitbat
Ash, UK43 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
Interesting, although probably more interesting if you're Russian, or a big fan of Father Christmas. A refuge from the sun.
Written July 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Uniqueholidayrandoms
Prestonpans, UK53 contributions
Jul 2014
An extremely interesting visit although there were no elves or workshops or snow.
The ruins were amazingly well kept and if you're near the area definitely check it out!
The ruins were amazingly well kept and if you're near the area definitely check it out!
Written January 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mysterypt
Lenzburg, Switzerland399 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
This church serves as a museum. You can see many well-preserved frescoes. The mosaic floor looks interesting as well, but I wonder why they don't protect this floor! At the time we went there the restoration was still on-going and you won't get a complete view of the church. For the price you give (15 TL), it was not worth it. You need maximum 45mins to see this place.
Written December 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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