The King's Port Inn would like to wish everybody a happy holiday season!
This is a magical time of year, and we hope you are spending time with family and friends. The town of Kennebunkport is decked out for the holidays and the feeling of Christmas is in the air. We hope you get a chance to visit us this holiday season.
We would like to present an interesting history of Santa Claus that you might find interesting:
Santa Claus is known today as a toy distributor who mans a sleigh led by eight reindeer, but he is actually based on a real person. That real person was Saint Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra, located in the present state of Turkey. He was born around the year 270, in the town of Patara(Turkey) . He earned a reputation as an anonymous gift giver, by paying the dowries of impoverished girls and handing out treats and coins to children.
His fame spread in Europe and Christmas presents were distributed on December 6th, when the celebration of St. Nicholas took place. He was later imprisoned during the persecutions of the Emperor Diocletian, but was released under the Emperor Constantine. He attended the first council of Nicaea in 325.
St. Nicholas reportedly died about 350 AD. Thousands of churches are dedicated to him throughout Europe. He is the patron saint of Russia, Moscow, Greece, children, prisoners, bakers, pawnbrokers, shopkeepers and wolves. Today, Saint Nicholas is alive and well, and is known all over the world as: Nicholas of Myra, Santa Claus or "Santa" in America.
The modern day American version of St. Nicholas, comes from the Dutch version called Sint Nikolass or Sinterklass. The Dutch settlers in New Amsterdam(New York) brought this version to America: A merry old man with red and white clothing, Eight flying reindeer, A home located near the North Pole, and filling stockings with presents.
Also, the modern day American version come from a poem called "A Visit From St. Nicholas" by Clement C. Moore. Written in 1823, this family poem was later published for the general public and included the now famous picture of Santa Claus by illustrator Thomas Nast.
We hope you enjoyed this brief history. The King's Port Inn has availability for the Christmas weekend. We have premium king rooms for only $99.00 a night. We also have Jacuzzi suites available for only $119.00 a night. Each room includes free continental breakfast, free wi fi, and free parking. To make a reservation, please call us at 1-800-286-5767. We would be happy to hear from you.
The King's Port Inn
