Where does the real Santa Claus live? Can any child write him a letter and when is he allowed to visit? Read an account of a visit to Saint Nicholas and see photos of Rovaniemi - a wooden, small village where St. Santa Claus and all his helpers.
Children all over the world are eagerly awaiting Santa Claus during the Christmas season. He is an aged and very kind old man, known for his special generosity, who invites everyone to visit his estate in Lapland.
Where did Santa Claus come from?
Someone may ask why Santa Claus lives in Lapland? Is it because the elves who help him and the reindeer used for harness love snow and winter? The answer to this question was known to Markus Rautio, a journalist who in 1927, during the radio broadcast "Children's Hour", revealed that Santa Claus lives on Mount Korvatunturi (Mount Ucho), a mysterious area resembling hare ears (with which elves managed to eavesdrop on what the children dream about). But because it was so far away that the children couldn't visit it, in 1985, Santa was taken closer, just 8 km from Rovaniemi.
The idea was very popular and today probably few people know that the real St. Nicholas lived in the 4th century and was a we althy and generous bishop from Myra (today Turkey) who was known for his generosity and saved sinking sailors. Legend has it that Saint Nicholas saved three unmarried daughters of an impoverished nobleman from ruin by throwing pouches of money through the chimney. Luckily, they fell straight into the shoes placed in front of the fireplace to be dried. The bishop died on December 6 - that is why we remember his memory on this day, giving our loved ones gifts.
This will be useful to youCorrespondence address with Santa Claus
Santa Claus Arctic Circle Village is open daily from 10-17, so everyone who has such an opportunity can meet Santa Claus in person.
Those children who fail to travel to Finland can always write a letter describing their dreams. Letters should be sent to one of the following addresses:
Santa Claus OfficeFIN-96930NapapiiriFinland or Santa Claus Arctic Circle96930 Rovaniemi, Finland