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Andrys Basten | profile | all galleries >> TURKEY Photos - Anatolia, 2004, with Canon Elph >> Photos: St. Nicholas church. Old St. Nick origin tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Flying to Istanbul - First views and photos | Istanbul - Sultanahmet photos | Photos: Istanbul Archaeological Museums: Alexander the Great | Istanbul's Bosphorus Cruise | Ankara , its museum, and Aksaray - photos | Cappadocia Balloon Ride Photos | Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride VIDEOclips (LOUD) | Cappadocia photos 2 | Cappadocia photos 3 | Photos: Goreme Open Air Museum frescos | Antakya and Mosaic Museum photos | Gaziantep photos, mosaics - Zeugma (Belkis) | Abraham's Pool & Harran - photos | Photos: Mt Nemrut heads, Perre-Perin, and Diyarbakir | Photos: Akdamar Island, Lake Van | Ishak Pasha Sarayi photos | Photos: In search of Noah's Ark - Mt. Ararat | Erzurum photos | Ephesus photos | Ephesus Museum and Selcuk photos | Pergamon acropolis ( Pergamum photos ) | Pergamon Asclepion - Pergamum Aesklepion | Aphrodisias site and museum - photos | Pamukkale photos ( Hierapolis ) | Dalyan photos - Turkey | Dalyan to Kaunos boat - photos | Lycian Telmessos | Kalkan - Kas photos | Photos: Kekova - Simena by Boat | Photos: St. Nicholas church. Old St. Nick origin | Myra, Antalya, Aspendos - photos | The Love Boat (Intro)

Photos: St. Nicholas church. Old St. Nick origin

    This continues from Kas, headed toward Antalya, but stopping at Kale (Demre village),
to see the Church of Saint Nicholas of ancient Myra, known for his secret gifts to children,
and the inspiration for Santa Claus.  The church's colorful floors made of opus sectile,
a mosiac of colored marble, are the most beautiful I've seen anywhere.

    I've included a Lot of duplicates at the church because the use of flash gave more resolution
but produced colors on the yellowish side, even after Paintshop color adjustments.  
However, the non-flash ones are of course grainy, as it was dark.  So, essentially,
some are just alternates.  More info soon, I hope.


( For full Screen: If using a PC, press/toggle F11. If using a Mac, press/toggle apple/command-b )
From the car, on way from Kas to Antalya
From the car, on way from Kas to Antalya		 Kaputas Bay at Kaputas Gorge
Kaputas Bay at Kaputas Gorge		 The popular sand and pebble beach
The popular sand and pebble beach
A good lunch at Kas and interesting shops, actually
A good lunch at Kas and interesting shops, actually		 This shot's for those who prefer no people in them :-)
This shot's for those who prefer no people in them :-)		 At every outdoor cafe, you will find at least one of these
At every outdoor cafe, you will find at least one of these
Leaving Kas for old Myra (now Kale)
Leaving Kas for old Myra (now Kale)		 At the Church of Saint Nicholas in Kale
At the Church of Saint Nicholas in Kale		 This is, logically enough, said to be young St. Nicholas.
This is, logically enough, said to be young St. Nicholas.
From another angle. Note the floors and the window decoration.
From another angle. Note the floors and the window decoration.		 The blue at the top, in the LCD viewer, matched more what I saw.
The blue at the top, in the LCD viewer, matched more what I saw.		 Taken without flash and grainy but color is closer.
Taken without flash and grainy but color is closer.
From the chapel, or sanctuary
From the chapel, or sanctuary		 This beautiful little church seems a well-kept secret (for tourists).
This beautiful little church seems a well-kept secret (for tourists).		 Photographer at work ourside
Photographer at work ourside
Will include more info on this beautiful place soon.
Will include more info on this beautiful place soon.		 Finally went outside ...
Finally went outside ...		 In addition to floor decoration outside, there were wall paintings also, but they've faded.
In addition to floor decoration outside,
there were wall paintings also, but they've faded.
That beautiful floor again!
That beautiful floor again!		 See colorful area at right bottom.
See colorful area at right bottom.		 A flash shot, corrected for color
A flash shot, corrected for color
I saw this on one of the ceilings inside and became fixated.
I saw this on one of the ceilings inside and became fixated.		 A little closer
A little closer		 Everywhere I looked, there was a beautiful scene.
Everywhere I looked, there was a beautiful scene.
Will ID the grumpy saint later. Might be St. Paul.
Will ID the grumpy saint later. Might be St. Paul.		 Closer up
Closer up		 Exterior of St. Nicholas church, right side
Exterior of St. Nicholas church, right side
A statue of old Saint Nick, who dropped money down chimneysfor poorer daughters who could not marry otherwise
A statue of old Saint Nick, who dropped money down chimneys
for poorer daughters who could not marry otherwise		 Closer up
Closer up		 From the front, on St. Nicholas' left.
From the front, on St. Nicholas' left.
Bad photo but I liked the eyes.Not your Jolly St. Nick tho'
Bad photo but I liked the eyes.
Not your Jolly St. Nick tho'

comment | share
Andrys Basten07-Jan-2013 22:24
Guest, I hope you will. Myra was one of the best surprises. At the time, a driver/guide
was about $10/day. Thanks for writing.
Guest 07-Jan-2013 21:49
While living in Turkey with our four children, we didn't have time nor money enough to visit Myra, but we certainly wish to return and go to these out of the way spots
Andrys Basten05-Jun-2012 02:22
Myra, Yes, I guess its meaning is more than sorrow. Glad you found them and enjoyed
them. Thanks for letting me know.
Guest 05-Jun-2012 01:45
My name is Myra, I was always told how the meaning of my name ment sorrow, then I found my name in the Bible. I was reserching the Myra in the Bible and came across the pictures that you took and they were so beautiful.
Andrys Basten24-Mar-2012 09:26
Reverend, I agree. One of the most beautiful churches I've seen. Thanks for taking the
time to write from your own experiences there.. How lucky to have seen this a couple of
times.
Guest 24-Mar-2012 07:11
What a wonderful review of the Church. I have visited there twice while living in the Balkans. My Photos are not so clear, but I loved the mosiac floors and patterns. I especially liked the frescos on the walls.

Thank you for the great work and post.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. James E. Webber,
St Nicholas of the Pines
Andrys Basten09-Dec-2010 12:30
Jon in Adrasan,
Your guests are lucky (as were we). That is one of the best sites I've seen - just a delightful find. Thanks!
Jon In Adrasan 08-Dec-2010 15:05
Andrys,
Great photos. I have a small hotel in Adrasan and regularly go to Myra with my guests. I am putting a link to your page from my site.
Thanks for putting these pictures on the web.
Jon G
kayla 17-Oct-2010 16:30
He looks so humble and peaceful
Andrys Basten18-Jan-2010 23:07
Myra,
It's a beautiful area - you'll enjoy it for sure. Thanks for writing.
Guest 18-Jan-2010 10:04
Thank you very much for the information on this site. I find it facinating. I hope to visit Myra this year - also because my name happens to be Myra too.
Myra
Andrys Basten03-Jan-2009 03:43
Dorothy, thanks, and glad you enjoyed the pictures of this beautiful church we sort of
stumbled across.
dorothy 03-Jan-2009 01:42
i like the part of the picture that was taken by st. nicholas so ya thank you for the pictures they look awesome to me
Andrys Basten20-Dec-2008 15:03
Myra, I'm glad you found it and enjoyed it and then took the time to say so. I loved that trip,
and Myra's St. Nicholas church and surroundings were a special find, so it's neat to know
that others do like knowing about the place. Thanks!
Myra 19-Dec-2008 18:38
I was researching my name, Myra, and came across your photos...how exciting! They are beautiful. I hope to someday visit in person. Thank you so much for sharing.
Andrys Basten29-Nov-2008 14:11
Melody, it's good to know you didn't take the statue :-)
Yes, probably the most varied country I've visited, for history and customs. Let us know
if you decide to put your photos online.
Melody Barch 28-Nov-2008 23:48
Visited in March. Used your site to confirm my St. Nicholas Church photos. Wonderful photos of his statue which I had not taken (the photos not the statue). Turkey a truly fascinating country. Thank you for sharing.
Andrys Basten11-Nov-2008 06:33
Guest, the play must be quite interesting. Glad this was helpful. Thanks for the feedback!
Guest 11-Nov-2008 04:29
We are producing a play for our
Greek Church about St. Nicholas - thanks for the photos!! Awesome
Andrys Basten14-Jul-2008 02:47
Monty, you'll be seeing more than I did maybe, as I went only once, but best advice is to
take it at a leisurely pace instead of rushing around. We used the Lonely Planet
guidebook to give us ideas of what else to see when in an area. But before we went,
we looked at several guidebooks and did an itinerary of what we wanted to see and
asked a travel agency to set us up with a driver guide in the southeastern part where
traffic is especially difficult and where you can get stopped by officers at checkpoints.
And that was a great way to see Turkey. Were able to drive along the western part of
Turkey ourselves - more European in feel but the eastern part of Turkey was really
interesting. The photos will give you an idea of what you might enjoy seeing. I try to
link to maps and more info on each place. Good luck on your next trip there.
Fascinating country.
monty 13-Jul-2008 21:05
hi.just got bk frm turkey. went on boat trip to st,nicholas island, fantastic, going bk for a proper look,, any advice please,,
carla and mark 20-Apr-2008 16:47
were just about to fly to turkey for the first time,we cnt wait it looks really amazing.
Guest 11-Mar-2008 16:00
w st klaus. Bravo!
Andrys Basten17-Mar-2007 15:54
Richard, that's a great way to put it - biggest open air museum in the world. Very apt.
Richard 17-Mar-2007 02:57
Turkey is the biggest open air museum in the world.I believed after i went there.People amazing.You feel like your at home.You always wellcome to everywhere.I was in Kalkan and around.And i m thinking to move there one day.I think i find my home.Your pictures great.Go back again and see more.Lots to see..
Adelina 15-Dec-2006 16:36
I love your pictures and story, because you are doing what I wish I could do---travel and learn information first hand. Thanks!
Bernie sheldon 30-Jun-2006 15:09
Bernie, wonderful and interesting , i must say ,i respect the ''sculptor''
Guest 09-Jun-2006 13:13
Andrys, these photos are wonderful! I went to Turkey 2 years ago loved the country.
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