Terrifying & True | Santa’s Stolen Bones: The Medieval Relic Heist of St. Nicholas

Dive into Christmas true crime , Santa Claus history , and holiday folklore with the real medieval relic heist that helped shape the legend of Santa . In 1087 , sailors from Bari, Italy break into the tomb of St. Nicholas in Myra (modern Turkey) —and the world’s most famous Christmas icon gets a disturbingly real origin story. Inside the candlelit crypt, witnesses claim the tomb is flooded with mysterious liquid— the “manna” of St. Nicholas —and the thieves interpret it as a sign the saint approves. But back on shore, the people of Myra collapse into grief and fury, pleading for even a single fragment. And when the relics reach Bari, the celebration turns volatile: church power struggles , blood spilled in the saint’s name , and a brand-new basilica built to lock the prize in place. Then the rivalry escalates. Venice returns to Myra and scoops up what Bari left behind—tiny fragments, crushed pieces, a second claim to the same saint. Centuries later, science steps into the story: anatomical studies, missing bones, and the unsettling realization that Santa’s “origin story” includes grave-robbing, propaganda, and a relic war that rewrote Europe’s holiday traditions . Inside this episode: The 1087 relic heist: how Bari’s sailors infiltrate Myra and break into the tomb “Furta sacra”: the medieval logic that framed theft as holy rescue The grief of Myra: a town begging for any piece of their protector Bari’s power play: riots, control of the relics, and a basilica built for a stolen saint Bari vs. Venice: the second “collection” of bones and a centuries-long relic rivalry Miracles and manna: the eerie liquid linked to St. Nicholas and why skeptics argue back The Santa connection: how this crime helped carry St. Nicholas into Western Europe’s Christmas tradition We’re telling that story tonight. 🎧 LISTEN NOW and subscribe for spine-tingling horror stories every week! 🎉 Unlock exclusive bonus episodes and support the show on Patreon! 👉 WeeklySpooky.com/Join 📬 Contact Us / Submit Your Horror Story! Twitter: @WeeklySpooky Facebook: facebook.com/WeeklySpooky Email: WeeklySpooky@gmail.com 🎵 Music by Ray Mattis 👉 Check out Ray’s incredible work here ! 👨‍💼 Executive Producers: Rob Fields, Bobbletopia.com 🎥 Produced by: Daniel Wilder 🌐 Explore more terrifying tales at: WeeklySpooky.com