Acts 27:5
Acts 27 begins the narrative of Paul's journey to Rome. Paul had exercised his right, as Roman citizen, to appeal to Caesar for justice, in response to the malicious accusations of the religious leaders of Jerusalem and the vacillating response of the Roman governors: first Felix (Acts 23:24-24:27) and then Festus (Acts 24:27ff). Myra is mentioned only once in the biblical record, as a port of call on this journey.
Having departed Caesarea Maratima on a ship from Adramyttium (south of modern Edremit, see Google Maps here), the group changed ships at Myra, boarding "an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy" (Acts 27:6 NIV). Egypt was the 'breadbasket of Rome' and the ship's cargo (Acts 27:10, 18) was, very probably, grain intended to feed the hungry population of Rome.
Myra was founded on the alluvial plains of the river Myros and its port, at the mouth of the river was Andriake. Andriake is not explicitly mentioned in Scripture.
The modern town of Demre, west of Antalya, overlays the ancient site of Myra. I was able to visit as part of a road trip covering various Pauline locations in 2014.
The main features of the site are the theatre and the Lycian rock cut tombs in the hill behind. The Church of St Nicholas, an early bishop of the city, judging by the visitor traffic when I was there is a major pilgrimage site for Orthodox Christians.
Of course, for the purposes of following Paul it is important to visit Andriake to the south west of the town.
Click here for a Google Earth view of Myra.
Andriake was the harbour serving Myra in antiquity. Like many coastal remains it has been overwhelmed by silting, from the river Myros.
An ancient granary on the site has been converted into a museum.
The theatre is the main feature of the archaeological site of Myra.
On the steep hill face above and around the theatre are many rock cut tomb monuments from the Lycian period. Each is styled as dwelling place for the dead and all were, originally, garishly painted. Some can be seen in Google Maps Street View here.
Nicholas, by some accounts a native of Patara, was Bishop of Myra in the early fourth century. There is some evidence that Nicholas may have attended the Council of Nicea.
St Nicholas, well known for secret gift giving, is the historical figure behind the later idea of Santa Claus!