Saint Nicholas of Myra
Saint Nicholas is remembered as the bishop of Myra, an ancient city in Lycia, in present-day Türkiye. He lived around the late third and early fourth centuries. Surviving contemporary evidence is limited, so much of his biography comes from later traditions.
Those traditions place his birth in Patara and remember him as a protector of children, sailors and people facing poverty or injustice. His feast is celebrated on 6 December and gradually became associated with gifts for children.
The story of a secret gift
The best-known account tells how Nicholas anonymously helped an impoverished family by leaving money at night. Some versions mention bags of gold at a window; later ones connect the gift with stockings or shoes. The lasting idea is generosity without seeking recognition.
Why “of Bari”?
Nicholas was bishop of Myra, but Western Europe commonly knows him as Saint Nicholas of Bari because relics attributed to him were transferred to the Italian city in 1087. Bari became an important pilgrimage destination and helped spread his cult across Europe.
From Sinterklaas to Santa Claus
In the Netherlands, Sint Nikolaas became Sinterklaas. The Dutch tradition keeps his episcopal dress, white horse, helpers and festive arrival by boat. Dutch settlers carried elements of this tradition to North America, where the name gradually developed into Santa Claus.
The modern figure also absorbed literature, illustration and other Christmas customs. Santa Claus is not an exact copy of the bishop of Myra, but the idea of secret generosity remains at the centre.
Why does Sinterklaas come from Spain?
Dutch folklore says that Sinterklaas arrives by ship from Spain. Several historical and popular explanations exist, including Bari's later links with territories ruled by the Spanish monarchy and Mediterranean trade routes. There is no single universally accepted documentary explanation.
Alicante City Council records the popular legend that Saint Nicholas sails from Alicante to bring gifts to children in the Netherlands. That tradition provides the creative starting point for Juan Manuel Vela Vacas's story.
Where the book begins
The Origin of Santa Claus: Saint Nicholas is not presented as an academic biography. It is children's fiction inspired by the historical figure, Sinterklaas and the popular Spanish connection. Its journey from Alicante, characters and adventures belong to the book's imagined world.