German Christmas Markets	<< 3 of 8 >>

Ulm, Germany (map), 2000 Photograph by Taylor Kennedy A passerby glances at a statue of St. Nicholas at a Christmas market. Some historians say the United States’ Santa Claus is a fusion of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, and his assistant Knecht Ruprecht, a demonic figure who accompanied St. Nicholas to punish bad children with his switch. More From Taylor Kennedy Photography      More From National Geographic • Santa’s Reindeer: The Creation of a U.S. Legend • Mistletoe: Holiday Romance Under a Parasite     Online Store Find photography products in our online store.

Subscribe Online Get a year of adventure, photography, travel tips, and more from our family of magazines.