Archaeologists have discovered in southern Turkey the alleged burial place of St. Nicholas, who, according to legend, brings gifts to obedient children, and also became the prototype of Santa Claus, reports Live Science.

Scientists already knew that the saint was buried in the 4th century AD in a church in the Turkish province of Antalya.. But the remains of Nicholas were stolen about 700 years after his death, so the exact burial place remained unknown..

Now, the researchers drew attention to the similarity of the church with the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem and the placement of a fresco depicting Christ.. According to scientists, these are clues that indicate where the body of St. Nicholas may be buried..

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The modern city of Demre is located on the southern coast of Turkey.. Here is the church of St. Nicholas, built in 520 on the site of an older church where the saint served as bishop in the 4th century AD. Then this city was known as Myra and became a popular place of pilgrimage for believers after St. Nicholas died and was buried here in 343..

According to a 1087 manuscript, “some wise men and illustrious people from Bari [Italy] … discussed together how they could take out of the city of Mira … the body of the most blessed confessor of Christ Nicholas”. Their plan was to break into the church and take out the relics. The group succeeded in removing most of the saint's skeleton, leaving only a few bones and a broken sarcophagus in Mir..

Despite the desecration, the church itself in Demre survived over the next millennia, archaeological excavations began here at the beginning of the 20th century.. Thanks to this, scientists were able to find the foundation of an older church.. Now, Osman Eravshar, chairman of the Antalya Regional Council for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, announced the discovery of the tomb of St. Nicholas. Conclusions about what were made on the basis of a fresco depicting Jesus.

According to him, as part of the excavations, they managed to find “the floor on which St. Nicholas stepped,” which was located in the original church.. Ershawar also added that this is "

Scientists also managed to find the original burial place of Nicholas. When a group from Bari stole the remains, they opened several sarcophagi and changed their location.. According to Ershavar, the saint's sarcophagus was placed in a " A fresco depicting Christ was also found here.. In his left hand he held a Bible, and with his right hand he made a sign of blessing..

The shape of the church itself also confirms the hypothesis: an unfinished dome was erected over it, similar to the dome of the Holy Sepulcher. This dome was probably a deliberate attempt to link Saint Nicholas with the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ..