FINLAND ~ Church of the Holy Cross - Rauma - UNESCO ~

... Lovely autumn church view located within Old Rauma... an idyllic old town on the western coast of Finland... the town was built around a monastery, presently the Church of the Holy Cross... it is a prominent feature of the Old Rauma district, which is an outstanding example of a traditional well-preserved Nordic wooden town... the vault paintings, stained glass windows, wooden pulpit and the oldest votive tablet in Finland make this fascinating sanctuary....one of the few buildings which survived the devastating town fire in 1682... Thanks Paivi!【ツ】

The Church of the Holy Cross is a medieval fieldstone church. The exact age of the church is unknown, but it was built to serve as the monastery church of the Rauma Franciscan Friary. 

The monastery had been established in the early 15th century and a wooden church was built on this site around the year 1420. Historians assume the current stone church was completed in 1515–1520. 

The Church served the monastery until 1538, when it was abandoned for a hundred years as the friary was disbanded in the Swedish Reformation. She was re-established as a Lutheran church in 1640, when the nearby Church of the Holy Trinity was destroyed by fire.

Old Rauma was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991.

Photo: Pekka Lehmuskallio

Stamp:

Sveaborg - Joint Issue with Sweden

(Issued 04-05-2006)

FINLAND ~ Helsinki ~

...  Beautiful view of a city located on a peninsula on the shore of the Gulf of Finland surrounded by islands (the Helsinki Archipelago consists of over 300 islands)... with the Helsinki Cathedral very likely Finland’s most famous and photographed building... the cathedral's central dome, rising 80 meters above the ground and  is a prominent feature of the Helsinki skyline... it is a global design capital and  known worldwide for its natural beauty... considered as one of the world’s most livable cities... Finland has once again been named the world’s happiest country in the 2024 World Happiness Report... Thanks once more dear Gian Luca and Rafaella for thinking of me while on vacation!(✿ ♥‿♥)

Founded in 1550 by the King of Sweden, Helsinki was established to rival the bustling trading port of Tallin (which was part of the Hanseatic League, an alliance of merchant guilds and trading ports). The city didn’t take off as expected, a problem compounded by the devastating plague of 1710, which killed much of the city’s residents. It wasn’t until the Russians annexed the region in the 19th century that it started to develop and grow into the city it is today.

Stamp:

Rati Riti Ralla 

(Issued 07-11-2018

FINLAND ~ Pyhä-Luosto National Park ~

... This great NP is a favorite destination for hiking and tourism... despite its small flow rate, Pyhäkaste Waterfall is one of Central Lapland's most beautiful falls... it is famous especially for its unique role in the area's cultural history... the waterfall, lake, and the adjacent Uhriharju Ridge ("Sacrifice ridge") have been sacred places for the local Sámi people for hundreds of years... until the mid-1600s, before the spread of Christianity, the Forest Sámi people brought deer and their antlers to Uhriharju Ridge to be sacrificed in hope of a successful hunt... with its history as an old place of worship for the indigenous people, the fall is an even more valuable treasure in Lapland... Thanks once more Nina!! ✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

Pyhä-Luosto National Park  is a national park in Lapland It was established in 2005 when Finland's oldest national park, Pyhätunturi National Park (established in 1938) was joined to Luosto. This makes Pyhä-Luosto Finland's oldest but at the same time newest national park.

The new park covers 142 square kilometres (55 sq mi). The most important features are geological specialties, old forests and wetlands.

Pyhäkaste Waterfall is a famous 17-metre-high waterfall. Below the waterfall is a pool, from which the water continues its way to the Pyhänkasteenlampi Lake (which is 12 metres deep), and from there to the bottom of the ravine.

Stamp:

Friendship stamp
(Issued 08-02-1993)

FINLAND ~ Struve Geodetic Arc - Aavasaksa - UNESCO ~

... Great postcard of country nr5 showing the Struve Geodetic Arc ... this one is in Aavasaksa, the southernmost point of Finland where you can see the midnight sun... the crosses carved in the rock to mark the point are now located beneath the Viewing Tower erected in 1969... still 5 more to find...  (◕‿-) Thanks Virpi!!  (ヅ)

The arc which stretches from the Black Sea to the Arctic Ocean, was measured from 1816 - 1855 and has been used to determine the the size and shape of the Earth.

The countries are Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine.

A total of 34 station points have been selected for protection, six of these being located in Finland.

The Aavasaksa (Avasaksa) point was measured in 1845 on the highest point of the Hill.

The Struve Geodetic Arc is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2005.

Stamp:

Festive Bouquet
(Issued 02-03-2015)

FINLAND ~ FIS Nordic World Ski Championships - Lahti ~

... Special designed postcard for the Lahti2017 FIS Nordic world ski championships... the city will host this championship for a historical 7th time at the breathtaking setting of Salpausselkä... this year's are very important as this year Finland also celebrates its 100 years of independency... the world’s best winter sports combined with an unforgettable winter festival full of good food, music and unique atmosphere... the personalized stamp is showing changing styles in ski jumping and cross country skiing... and with fantastic special postmark.... a few thousand items are posted from the Lahti Ski Games every day, and that number is ten times the size during World Championships... Thanks so much Sini for this unique item... must be great to have such an amazing event in your hometown!! \_(♥‿♥)_/

The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships have been held in various numbers and types of events since 1925 for men and since 1954 for women. Since 1985, the World Championships have been held in odd-numbered years.

The Centenary World Championships in Lahti is the biggest and most memorable event during Finland’s 100th anniversary. The city will host the Lahti2017 FIS Nordic world ski championships from 22.2.-5.3.2017.

Over the 12 days more than 700 athletes from 60 different countries compete in 21 disciplines with each day culminating at the biggest après-ski of the world and the medal award ceremonies.

Stamp:

FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
(Issued 2017)

FINLAND ~International Postcard Week ~

My first great postcard from the first ever "International Postcard Week" with my first fantastic cheerful postcrossing stamp^^...a big "underwater" smile...thanks soooo much Kati for sharing one of your passions with me!!


With really sweet stamp:
From a set of 4:
(Issued 09-09-2013)

Diving in Red Sea - Ras Burg (18m.) - South Sinai - Ras Mohammed National Park.
Diving in the turquoise water of the Red Sea, a hidden secret,is considered by most scuba divers as the best in the world. It is one of the most popular places in the world to dive and snorkel due to the amazing diversity it has to offer.

FINLAND ~Northern Lights~

This fantastic card shows one of the most amazing and mystical natural wonders of the world that I really would love to see live one day...the colors are amazing... Thanks a lot Sirpa!:D

With colorful Easter Rooster stamp!
(Issued 08.03.2013)

The phenomenon of aurora is an interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and solar wind.


There have been many myths about the Northern Lights.The people of Norway thought the lights were dead warriors fighting.The Vikings thought they were female messengers of the God Odin, to mark those to be killed in battle. The people of Laps and Finland believed they were messengers of God. The Northern Lights were one of the last unsolved mysteries of the natural world!

FINLAND

Great official multiview postcard... (FI-1728268) The sender  lives only 500m from the Swedish border maybe the view is from Sweden???Thanks Johanna!


With nice stamp from the serie:The Centenary of the Union of Finnish Actors. (Issued 06-03-2013)

 

FINLAND ~Berries-Lapland~

Lovely and colorful wild berries postcard, the "fruits" of Lapland!!(FI-1675851) Thanks a lot Petra!!

Sweet self adhesive stamp: Valentine's Day
Animals living in the world of colors and candies. (Issued 21-01-2013)

The climate of Lapland (the Arctic far north of Finland)creates special growth conditions for berries and the sunlight nights in the summer give them strong aroma.  The sun shines 70 days and nights continuously in Lapland. About 50 different berries are found in Finland and 37 of them are eatable. The most valuable berries are lingonberry, bilberry, raspberry, cranberry, buckthorn and crowberry. But only few percent of wild berries are picked and used yearly.

FINLAND ~Santa Claus Letter~

Santa is on his way...
And here my personal letter from Santa mailed from his hometown, Rovaniemi...Thanks a lot Santa!!:D
...On 23 December at 19.00 Santa Claus starts his long journey to deliver gifts to children (and I hope for adults too) around the world on the day before Christmas Eve. We can all wish him a safe journey and send our Christmas greetings all over the world...


~VROLIJK KERSTMIS~MERRY CHRISTMAS~ TO ALL MY POSTCARD FRIENDS~

With lovely Christmas stamp: Rendeer pulling Santa sleigh

Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland in Finland, located at the northern Arctic Circle, lying at the junction of North and South on the border to the Arctic.
The Arctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark the maps of the earth.

FINLAND ~The Northern Lights~

This fantastic card I got as an official (FI-1514195)... "Aurora Borealis", one of the most amazing and mystical natural wonders of the world that I really would love to see live one day...the colors are amazing...a luminous green! Thanks a lot Sari!:D

With colorful self-adhesive Sun flower stamp.
Issued: 07.05.2012

The Northern Lights are flaming in the frost nights on the northern hemisphere.

The phenomenon of aurora is an interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and solar wind.

There have been many myths about the Northern Lights.The people of Norway thought the lights were dead warriors fighting.The Vikings thought they were female messengers of the God Odin, to mark those to be killed in battle. The people of Laps and Finland believed they were messengers of God. The Northern Lights were one of the last unsolved mysteries of the natural world!

FINLAND ~Northern Lights~

Great wintery scene with one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world... "Aurora Borealis"!(FI-1396819) Thanks Eeve!:D

And again with the very cute Easter stamp!

The Northern Lights are created when charged particles from solar wind hit the atmosphere of the earth.The most common colours of the Northern Lights are greenish-yellow and red.

There have been many myths about the Northern Lights.The people of Norway thought the lights were dead warriors fighting.The Vikings thought they were female messengers of the God Odin, to mark those to be killed in battle. The people of Laps and Finland believed they were messangers of God. The Nothern Lights were one of the last unsloved mysteries of the natural world!

FINLAND ~The Arctic Circle-Lapland~

Lovely views of the famous "Arctic Circle" Lapland... Land of the Northern Lights...unspoiled nature...border of the daylight zone...Santa Claus... Thanks Pirjo!! (FI-1392089)

With nice Europa stamp 2011 from a set of two self-adhesive stamps.

Lapland is a region largely within the Arctic Circle.
The Arctic Circle is an imaginary line that marks the latitude above which the sun does not set on the day of the summer solstice (usually 21 June) and does not rise on the the day of the winter solstice (usually 21 December). North of this latitude, periods of continuous daylight or night last up to six months at the North Pole.
The Arctic Ocean is the centerpiece of the Circumpolar North. Lands bordering this region include those of Alaska, Canada, Greenland/Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia.

FINLAND ~Happy Easter~

Received a sooooo "cute" Easter postcard (Fi-1385413) Thanks Matti
I wish all my postcardfriends and blog visitors een "VROLIJK PASEN" or "HAPPY EASTER"

With lovely matching Easter stamp!!

FINLAND

Another great night view from Finland (FI-1282339)... The color of the sky is just stunning! Thanks Liris!!

With the nice Aurora Borealis stamp from 2009.

FINLAND ~Aurora Borealis~

And this awesome card I got as an official (FI-1274486)... "Aurora Borealis", one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world and can be seen around this time of year above the Arctic Circle ... I really would love to see it live one day... Thanks a lot Juho!

With lovely matching Aurora Borealis stamp!

The Northern Lights are created when charged particles from solar wind hit the atmosphere of the earth.The most common colours of the Northern Lights are greenish-yellow and red.

There have been many myths about the Northern Lights.The people of Norway thought the lights were dead warriors fighting.The Vikings thought they were female messengers of the God Odin, to mark those to be killed in battle. The people of Laps and Finland believed they were messangers of God. The Nothern Lights were one of the last unsloved mysteries of the natural world!

FINLAND ~Olavinlinna Castle~

Received a great castle view (FI-1182721). This is my second official Finnish card in a row showing this castle... By searching for information I found on the internet that it is also called St Olaf castle...I love this view too!!

With sooo nice stamp...Branches of friendship - from a sheet of five stamps.
Issued: 24.01.2011 (forValentine) The colourful peculiar birds are sleeping on their own branches. Make them take wings - send some postcards to friends with these stamps...Designer: Janne Harju

Olavinlinna Castle (St. Olaf's Castle) is a 15th century three-tower castle located in Savonlinna. It is the world's most northern medieval stone fortress still standing.
Currently, the castle hosts several small exhibitions, including the Castle Museum which displays artifacts found in the castle or related to it, and the Orthodox Museum which displays icons and other religious artifacts both from Finland and Russia. The castle forms a spectacular stage for the Savonlinna Opera Festival, held annually in the summer since 1912.

FINLAND ~St. Olaf's Castle~

...It is nice to receive something different from Finland, mostly I got the typical nature views. So I do like this beautiful castle nightview a lot ! Thanks Tarja!!

With lovely speciale shaped stamp.

St. Olaf's Castle is a 15th century three-tower castle located in Savonlinna. It is the world's most northern medieval stone fortress still standing.
Currently, the castle hosts several small exhibitions, including the Castle Museum which displays artifacts found in the castle or related to it, and the Orthodox Museum which displays icons and other religious artifacts both from Finland and Russia. The castle forms a spectacular stage for the Savonlinna Opera Festival, held annually in the summer since 1912.

FINLAND

Beautiful nature views... "Four Seasons" in Finland! Thanks Sirpa!

With yummie berries and cake stamp!

FINLAND

Received a really nice mapcard today!(FI-1163380).The sender wrote that the nature is very different in the southern part when compared to the north! She even put an x on the place where she lives' Great!! Thanks Siv!!
And with cute dog stamp too!