Myra facts for kids

Saint Nicholas of Myra, by Ilya Repin

Roman theatre of Myra, with the rock-cut tombs of the ancient Lycian necropolis on the cliff in the background

Myra was an important ancient city in a region called Lycia. Today, it is near the small town of Kale (Demre) in Antalya Province, Turkey. Myra was located on the river Myros (now called Demre Çay). It was in a rich, flat area between mountains and the Aegean Sea.

Myra is especially famous because Saint Nicholas (also known as Santa Claus!) lived and worked there. He was the bishop of Myra.

Exploring Ancient Myra

Myra was a very old city with a long history. It was part of the Lycian League, a group of independent cities. Later, it became part of the Roman Empire. The city was known for its busy port and its beautiful buildings.

What You Can See in Myra Today

When you visit Myra, you can see amazing ruins from its past. These include a large Roman theatre and incredible rock-cut tombs.

The Roman Theatre

The Roman theatre in Myra is very well preserved. It could hold many people and was used for plays and performances. You can still see the stage and the seating areas.

The Lycian Rock Tombs

One of the most unique things about Myra are the rock-cut tombs. These tombs were carved directly into the cliffs above the city. The Lycians believed their dead would be carried to the afterlife by winged creatures. So, they placed their tombs high up on the rocks. Many tombs look like temples or houses. They often have detailed carvings on their fronts.

Saint Nicholas and Myra

Myra became very important in early Christian times. This is because Saint Nicholas was the bishop of Myra in the 4th century AD. He is famous for his kindness and generosity. Many stories tell of him helping the poor and protecting children.

The Church of Saint Nicholas

A large church was built in Myra in honor of Saint Nicholas. It is called the St. Nicholas Church, Demre. Many people visit this church today. It is believed to be the place where Saint Nicholas was buried. His tomb was later moved to Italy.

Images for kids

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  Cities of ancient Lycia. Red dots: mountain peaks, white dots: ancient cities.

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  Rock-cut tombs in Myra.

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  More rock-cut tombs in Myra.

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  A Lycian tomb relief from Myra, carved in the 4th century BC.

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  The ancient theatre of Myra.

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  Stone faces found in Myra.

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  The St. Nicholas Church, Demre in Myra.

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  The original tomb of St. Nicholas at the basilica in Myra.

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  A Medusa head carving found at Myra.

See also

In Spanish: Mira (ciudad) para niños