President of Antalya Mediterrenean University Science and Literature Faculty Archeology Department Prof. Dr. Nevzat Çevik is calling for the return of the bones of Saint Nicholas to their original resting place on the Turkish Mediterranean coast.

Saint Nicholas, the inspiration for Santa Claus, was buried in Demre (Dymras or Myra) in Turkey, but his bones were taken to Italy in the Middle Ages.

After his death he was canonised as Saint Nicolas and venerated in much of the Christian world, but after Demre was occupied by Muslim Ummayid Empire in the 11th century, Roman sailors took his bones to the port of Bari, where they are interred today.

Now the Turkish archaeologist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Çevik who is responsible for ancient sites in the town of Demre is demanding the bones back.

Mr. Cevik says Saint Nicolas had made it clear during his life that he wanted to be buried in his hometown.

He has asked the Turkish Government to approach the Italian authorities, something the Minister of Culture says he is now considering.

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