Bari received Saint Nicholas's relics in 1087, helping establish an important European pilgrimage center.
Sailors from Bari took most of Saint Nicholas's remains from Myra, in present-day Türkiye, and brought them to southern Italy. The relics were placed in the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, whose crypt became a major destination for pilgrims. The transfer helped spread the saint's reputation across western Europe.
Saint Nicholas had already become famous for charitable acts and secret gift-giving legends. Those stories later contributed to traditions surrounding Santa Claus and other Christmas gift-bringers.
Bari is sometimes confused with Myra, the ancient city where Nicholas served as bishop and was originally buried. Myra is associated with his life and early burial; Bari is associated with the later resting place of most of his relics.