ITALY ~ Stupinigi Palace - Turin - UNESCO ~

... Beautiful view of one of Turin’s architectural Baroque jewels... built for the Royal Family of Savoy as a departure point for royal hunting trips and a venue for lavish court celebrations... a long driveway, flanked by farms and stables, leads to the main building, surrounded by a 150 000 m² park... a vast geometric garden that features a continuous succession of flowerbeds, parterres and avenues... notable historical moments include the stay of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1805 before his coronation as King of Italy... and the 19th-century royal weddings of the House of Savoy... the palace is now a museum of art and furniture, showcasing original Savoyard furnishings and period masterpieces... Thanks Frederico! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

It was designed by the famous Baroque architect Filippo Juvarra starting in 1729 and finished in 1733, commissioned by Victor Amadeus II. The palace features an oval central hall with four wings radiating outward diagonally, resembling a Saint Andrew’s Cross. The complex covers over 31,000 square meters and contains 137 rooms and 17 galleries. 

The site, part of the Savoy residences circuit in Piedmont, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
 

Stamp:

EUROPA Stamps - National Archaeological Discoveries 

(Issued 09-05-2025)

ITALY ~ Il Palio - Siena ~

... A nice interesting postcard related to my last post... Siena is divided into 17 neighborhoods, or contrade...  during the running of the Palio, 10 of the participating contrade send a horse and rider to the race chosen randomly by lottery... the neighborhood then adopts it, showering it with love, washing and grooming it, and keeping it in a five-star stable... each contrada is represented by a mascot (porcupine, unicorn, she-wolf, and so on) and a distinctive flag... its colors are worn and flown all year long, but omnipresent as the race nears... the contrade support their rider with medieval marches, complete with flag-throwers and musicians, all wearing the symbol and colors of the neighborhood....Thanks Gian Luca and Raffaella!ヽ(•‿•)ノ   

Since antiquity, the city of Siena has been divided into three parts, called Terzi: the Terzo di Città, the Terzo di Camollia and the Terzo di San Martino. The 'contrade' (districts) of Siena are derived from this subdivision, in a tradition that is centuries old and full of curiosities.

In a report of the August Festival in 1546 written by Cecchino Cartaio, we find 16 Contrade mentioned, and a few years later, all 17 contrade appear with their current names: Aquila, Bruco, Chiocciola, Civetta, Drago, Giraffa, Istrice, Liocorno, Lupa, Montone, Oca, Onda, Pantera, Nicchio, Selvalta, Torre, Tartuca.

Each Contrade is like a guild or neighborhood with a community center for the members to gather, they all have a museum, fountain, baptismal font, and chapel.

Stamp: 

Italian Squares 

(Issued 02-07-2016)

ITALY ~ The Palio Horse Race - Siena ~

... Nice view of one of Italy’s most spectacular horse events that has been taking place in this stunning town since 1656... one of Tuscany’s most awaited summer events... it is a 90-second spectacle preceded by days of parades, trial races, and passionate, often religious, community events... the race consists of three turns around the Piazza del Campo, the main city square... with unique rules and centuries-old history... and is famously rough, with jockeys often falling, but the horse can win even without a rider... more than just a horse race Il Palio is full of passion and excitement, reflecting deep-seated contrade (district) rivalries rather than a tourist show... Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Raffaella! (✿◠‿◠)

Horse racing in Siena dates from 1232. The Palio was first held in 1482 as a civic celebration. The current course was formally established in 1659 and has been held semiannually on July 2 and on August 16 since 1701, except during wartimes.

Ten horses and bareback riders represent ten of the 17 city districts or ‘Contradas’, each one of them carry their own colours, emblems and flags. 

Stamp:

Europa stamp - Underwater flora and fauna

(Issued 9-05-2024)

ITALY ~ San Marco - Venice - UNESCO ~

... Stunning aerial view of one of the world’s most iconic destinations... the floating city steeped in over a millennium of history framed by architectural wonders... dominating the scene is the awe-inspiring St Mark’s Basilica, a Byzantine marvel adorned with golden mosaics... flanked by the Campanile, whose bell tower offers panoramic views of the Adriatic sea... the Doge’s Palace, a Gothic masterpiece of Venice’s maritime empire... this all makes the square an open-air museum of human realizations... always nice to get a postcard showing Venice... it brings back such lovely memories of the great time I had there❤️... I visited it a looooong time ago on a "educational" ツschool trip... but also a city struggling under the strain of massive tourist numbers, but even with all that a must-see... Thanks Edo!ヽ(•‿•)ノ

Photo: archivio Kina Italia
The city of Venice is built on 118 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon, in north-east Italy. The islands are separated by a vast network of over 400 bridges and 170 canals.Venice rests on a complex foundation of millions of tree trunks hammered into the muddy lagoon floor to provide a stable base for its buildings. It is known for its historic architecture and was a major maritime power in the Middle Ages.

The “Venice and its Lagoon” site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987.

 

Stamp:

The 20th Anniversary of the Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units 

(Issued 25-06-2025)

ITALY ~ The Palace of the Elephants ~Catania - Sicily - UNESCO ~

... Pretty view of Catania’s City Hall, housed in the historic Palace of the Elephants (Palazzo degli Elefanti)... a testament to the resilience and grandeur of this Baroque city that stands proudly against the backdrop of the majestic Mount Etna... mostly known as “the Black City” due to the dark grey or black lava stone used in its buildings... at the center you’ll spot the elegant Elephant Fountain with an obelisk type structure on top of it... an iconic city symbol that graces the square... the black elephant is made of lava from Mount Etna and dates back to Roman times... Thanks Mario!【ツ】

Photo: Mario Tornatore
Constructed in 1696 following the devastating earthquake of 1693 which almost destroyed the entire city. The building showcases a quadrangular design centered around a grand courtyard, flanked by porticoes on two sides. It has an entrance atrium on each of the four façades to underline its open nature and the concept of service to the community. The building was damaged in the 1944 uprising,  rebuilt and became the Town Hall in 1953. It takes its name from the many elephants incorporated in the walls as a design feature.

According to an old legend, during the Upper Paleolithic Times, a dwarfed elephant lived in Sicily. This elephant protected the first population of Catania from all fierce and dangerous animals. People from Catania erected a statue in honour of this elephant. They called it u Liotru. 

The Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto are listed as a UNESCO WHS site in 2002. 

 

Stamps:

The 20th Anniversary of European Coal and Steel Community 

(Issued 28-04-1971)

The 200th Anniversary of the F.I.G.C. - Italy National Football Team

(Issued 19-07-2018)

ITALY ~ The church of San Francesco - Sicily - UNESCO ~

... Beautiful view of a church situated at the top of an impressive staircase...  the church with the adjoining building used to be a natural connection between the church and the monastery... after climbing the numerous steps, you enter this small, single-nave church... it is full of rich baroque decoration and certainly one of the most picturesque religious buildings in Noto... this spectacular Baroque town defined as the "Capital of the Baroque" is dotted with plenty of churches... the most striking feature are the honey-colored limestone buildings... Thanks Mario!ヽ(ヅ)ノ

The church of San Francesco d'Assisi all'Immacolata is located on the site where the Franciscan order settled in the 13th century. In 1329 the Queen Consort of Sicily Eleanor of Anjou promoted the construction of the primitive convent and church of St. Francis of Assisi all'Immacolata. Destroyed in 1693 by the Val di Noto earthquake, the church had to be rebuilt in the 18th century. 

Since 2002 Noto has been part of the World Heritage Site within the serial site Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto.

 

Stamp:

Italian Squares

(Issued 02-07-2016)

ITALY ~ Royal Palace of Caserta - UNESCO ~

... Beautiful view of one of the largest and most imposing palace complexes in Europe... this neoclassical masterpiece spans five floors, with an imposing 250-meter facade, more than 1,200 rooms, 1,790 windows, and 34 magnificent staircases... it is truly the essence of opulence, grandeur and elegance...  a symbol of the wealth and power of the Bourbon kings of Naples... the massive gardens extend for over 120 hectares with fountains, waterfalls, ponds and sculptures... today the palace serves not only as a tourist attraction but also as a venue for cultural and artistic events... Thanks a lot Rosette! (✿◠‿◠)

This palace was commissioned by King Charles of Bourbon in the second half of the 18th century and was modeled after the palace of Versailles. It was surrounded by a planned complex of gardens and associated buildings. The estate also included the industrial complex in the hunting lodge Belvedere, dedicated to the production of silk, which included housing for workers. This large complex was only completed in 1845, when the Kingdom of Naples and the Kingdom of Sicily was unified as the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

Reggia of Caserta was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

Stamp:

The "Passion of Sordevolo" 

(06-08-2022)

ITALY ~ Tre Cannelle Waterfall - La Camosciara ~

... Lovely nature view of one of the waterfalls in the “La Camosciara”  integral reserve... this small "Waterfall of the Three Spouts" is also located in the heart of the Abruzzo National Park and one of the most beautiful wild areas of the Park... characterized by its appearance and its dolomitic structure... the most famous part of the Abruzzo... Thanks Barbara!【ツ】

La Camosciara is located in the province of L'Aquila, the area is made up of a suggestive rocky amphitheatre defined as “ dolomitic ” as it is composed of limestone and dolomite, the same rocks that form the well-known Dolomite mountain range.

Camosciara enjoys the status of  "Integral Reserve" , within which the original natural characteristics are fully preserved, without any human intervention on the local flora or fauna, which is therefore uncontaminated.

The National Park Abruzzo was established in 1923 and is located in the heart of the central Apennines between the Abruzzi, Lazio and Molise on an area of (±) 440 km2.

 

Stamp:

Anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II

(Issued 12-09-2023)

ITALY ~ Historic centre of Siena - UNESCO ~

...Beuatiful view of a small town in the heart of Tuscany... the historic centre of Siena, which has remained intact for centuries, appears today almost as it did in the fourteenth century... it feel as if you’ve been transported right back to the Middle Ages... a sea of terracotta-toned houses and gigantic sights... especially the Cathedral rising majestically in the city square....the Duomo di Siena is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture that attracts many visitors from around the world.... this stunning cathedral is filled with artistic treasures and rich history... Thanks a lot Ben & Loes!(✿ ♥‿♥)

Photo: Studio Donati
Siena, like other Tuscan hill towns, was first settled in the time of the Etruscans (c. 900–400 BC) when it was inhabited by a tribe called the Saina. A Roman town called Saena Julia was founded at the site in the time of the Emperor Augustus.

The city is historically linked to commercial and banking activities, having been a major banking center until the 13th and 14th centuries.Siena is also home to the oldest bank in the world, the Monte dei Paschi bank, which has been operating continuously since 1472. 

The historic centre of Siena has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site in 1995.

 

Stamp:

Toscana 

(stamp from a private mail company called "Globe Postal Service (GPS)". You can them only post them in GPN orange mailboxes)

ITALY ~ San Gimignano - Tuscany - UNESCO ~

... What a coincidence... just a few days ago I posted an illustrated postcard of this place and now I got this lovely surprise in my mailbox😍... a great panoramic *real* picture view and even with the same stamp... had just to copy and past from my last postcard😉:

... a beautiful town surrounded by 13th century walls perchesd high on a 300m steep hill... even from afar, you can tell what makes San Gimignano so special... the 14 majestic towers rise above its palaces up into the sky... they really look like skyscrapers, but almost without any windows... for this reason, the city carries the nickname "the Manhattan of the Middle Ages"... the Torre Grossa (meaning ‘big tower’) stands at 54 meters and is the tallest tower in San Gimignano... it can be climbed and provides a 360-degree view of San Gimignano and the stunning surrounding valley... Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Raffaella! (✿◠‿◠)

San Gimignano was originally an Etruscan and then Roman settlemen. In time, it became a feudal domain of the bishops of Volterra and gained independence in 1199. The city is named after Saint Geminianus, who defended it from Attila the Hun in the mid 5th century. 

In the 14th century, the noble families and upper middle-class merchants began building many fortified tower houses (probably as many as 72) to show their wealth and power. 

 San Gimignano has been a UNESCO site since 1990.

Stamp: 

Toscana

Stamp from a private mail company called "Globe Postal Service (GPS)" but you can them only post them in GPN orange mailboxes.

ITALY ~ Tower of Pisa - Tuscany - UNESCO ~

.. Lovely illustrated view of "The Leaning Tower", one of Italy’s most famous landmarks... and one of the most remarkable architectural structures from medieval Europe... a true jewel of Romanesque art... it’s all limestone structures coated in white marble and it looks stunning... the tower has eight stories, including the chamber for the bells... adorned with arches and columns, are a testament to the craftsmanship of the time... there is a 297 step spiral staircase inside the tower leading to the top... it’s a steep climb but the views from the top are definitely worth it... Bedankt Ben en Loes!(✿ ♥‿♥)

 

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is actually just one of several buildings contained within a complex commonly referred to as the "Field of Miracles" located in the Piazza Del Duomo.

The construction of the Tower began in 1173 and  continued for about 200 years before it was completed in 1372 due to the onset of a series of wars.

Builders started observing the lean a mere five years after construction began. When construction resumed in 1272, they began building one side of the tower taller than the other to correct the lean (this is why I said it’s nearly symmetrical). Finally, the tower was finished with the top floor again being angled to prevent further leaning.

In 1987, Piazza Del Duomo became a UNESCO WHS site.
 

Stamp: 

Toscana

ITALY ~ San Gimignano - Tuscany - UNESCO ~

... Nice illustrated view of a beautiful town surrounded by 13th century walls perchesd high on a 300m steep hill... even from afar, you can tell what makes San Gimignano so special... the 14 majestic towers rise above its palaces up into the sky... they really look like skyscrapers, but almost without any windows... for this reason, the city carries the nickname "the Manhattan of the Middle Ages"... the two main churches contain a series of masterpieces of 14th and 15th-century Italian Renaissance art in their original architectural settings... the Torre Grossa (meaning ‘big tower’) stands at 54 meters and is the tallest tower in San Gimignano... it can be climbed and provides a 360-degree view of San Gimignano and the stunning surrounding valley... Thanks a lot Ben en Loes! (✿◠‿◠) 

San Gimignano was originally an Etruscan and then Roman settlemen. In time, it became a feudal domain of the bishops of Volterra and gained independence in 1199. The city is named after Saint Geminianus, who defended it from Attila the Hun in the mid 5th century.

In the 14th century, the noble families and upper middle-class merchants began building many fortified tower houses (probably as many as 72) to show their wealth and power. 

San Gimignano has been a UNESCO site since 1990.

 

Stamp: 

Toscana

ITALY ~ Florence - Tuscany - UNESCO ~

... Beautiful illustrated views of Florence, one the most visited cities in the world... there’s no better place for Renaissance art and architecture... with its churches, palaces and museums that bear witness to the glorious past of this city... a place where beauty dominates... it boasts one of the oldest historic centres and some of the most famous museums in the world... you can see the major architectural wonders, marvel at masterpieces of Western art... as well as one of the most iconic and distinctive landscapes as far as the eye can see... with stamp from a private mail company called "Globe Postal Service (GPS)" but you can them only post them in GPN orange mailboxes...  Heel Erg Bedankt Loes en Ben! (✿ ♥‿♥)

"Basilica of the Holy Cross - Palazzo Vecchio - Florence Cathedral"

Florence is the capital city of the region of Tuscany. The city was a center of medieval European trade and finance. It is often considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.

Among the most famous of the city’s cultural giants are Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dante, Machiavelli, Galileo, and its most-renowned rulers, generations of the Medici family,  one of European history's most important noble families. Lorenzo de' Medici was considered a political and cultural mastermind of Italy in the late 15th century. 

Its historic centre was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1982.
 

Stamp:

Toscana

ITALY ~ Fountain of Diana - Syracuse - Sicily - UNESCO ~

... Wonderful fountain view by night... the highlight of Piazza Archimede square is this famous art nouveau fountain... in the center of the fountain is a magnificent statue of Diana - hunter, surrounded by sirens and tritons... it is also known as the Fountain of Artemis, as the original Greek name for the Roman goddess Diana was Artemis... located on Ortigia Island, the Heart and oldest part of the beautiful city of Siracusa... well known for its remarkable historical heritage... Thanks a lot Mario!【ツ】

The Artemis Fountain was created by sculptor Giulio Mosketti in 1906 using reinforced concrete.  It is dedicated to the myth of the nymph Aretuza, which turned into the goddess Artemis, called Diana in the Roman pantheon.

The fountain includes a triton and a mermaid with a child on her lap riding sea monsters, and also includes Arethusa and Alpheus (Diana is helping Arethusa to escape unwanted attention from Alpheus, who fell in love with her after seeing her bathing nude in a stream).

Syracuse was inscribed on the World Heritage list in 2005.  

Stamp:

The 50th Anniversary of AISM - Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society  

(Issued 09-11-2018)

ITALY ~ Monte Croce di Muggio - Alta Badia - South Tyrol - Dolemites - UNESCO ~

... Spectacular mountain view... Monte Croce di Muggio is a mountain of Lombardy with an elevation of 1,799 m... it is located near Lake Como, close to the city of Bellano... there's a hiking trail leading to the summit with beautiful panoramic 360° views over the mountains, lake and valley... Alta Badia is one of the best places to stay in the Dolomites for hiking... a system of chairlifts and gondolas across Alta Badia makes hiking extremely accessible... it is also known as a skier’s paradise in the heart of the Dolomites... Bedankt Ben &Loes! (✿◠‿◠)

South Tyrol is Italy's northern most province, a sunny region in the Italian Alps, bordering Austria and Switzerland.

The Dolomites are a limestone mountain range, that is known for its natural beauty in the form of steep cliffs, pinnacles and ravines. They form part of the Alps.

In 2009 the Dolomites were put on the UNESCO list of the world's protected natural paradises and since then, officially rank among the most beautiful mountains in the world.

 

Stamp: 

Italian Squares

(Issued 02-07-2016)

ITALY ~ Mount Etna - Catania - Sicily - UNESCO ~

... Wonderful aerial view of the Gulf of Catania with the spectacular Mount Etna in the background... the highest volcano in Europe, and one of most active of the world dominating the east coast of Sicily... Mt. Etna is an active and constantly changing volcano... a mystery of nature that fascinates everyone with its explosions, the high lava fountains and  earthquakes... and has always aroused the interest of scientists along with the curiosity of visitors from all over the world...  the most requested activity is no doubt the excursion to the craters, to be done safely with the help of expert guides and with appropriate clothing... with great matching "Etna National Park" stamp👍... the first and largest national park in Sicily, dedicated to maintaining safe access to the towering volcano and offering a rich natural environment... Thanks a lot Beate! (✿◠‿◠)

Mount Etna is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily sliding into the Mediterranean Sea, close to Catania, the second largest city in Sicily. 

Mount Etna is about 3,350 meters high and covers an area of 1,190 km2  with a basal circumference of about 150 km. Various volcanic phenomena such as craters, lava caves, lava flows and cinder cones are clearly visible. Etna has been an active volcano for more than 2.5 million years. 

The name comes from the Greek Aitne, from aithō, "I burn".

 Mount Etna was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013. 

Stamp: 

Natural and Landscape Heritage 

(Issued 23-05-2014)

ITALY ~ Sila National Park - Calabria ~

... Great new National Park for my collection👍...  as the “Green Heart of Calabria,” Sila National Park is a stronghold for a variety of rare flora and fauna in the region... it's one of Italy's most heavily wooded areas... approximately 80 percent of the Park is forested... Sila is also noted for its lakes and beautiful contrasting landscapes with quaint and welcoming villages... it's a high plateau with wide horizons, rich in flowing waters, having a fresh and healthy climate... Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Raffaella! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Sila National Park is an area of protected countryside located in the region of Calabria in southern Italy. It covers an area of approximately 737 km² and was established in 1997, replacing the old Calabria National Park together with the Aspromonte National Park.

Geographically, Sila National Park can be split into three regions: Sila Grande (Large Sila), Sila Greca (Greek Sila), and Sila Piccola (Small Sila). 

.

Stamp:

The 1600th Anniversary of the Founding of Venice 

(Issued 25-03-2021)

ITALY ~ Sanctuary of Oropa - UNESCO ~

 ... Lovely postcard from the most important and largest spiritual sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary found in the Alps... set in a valley against a backdrop of the majestic Alps at an altitude of 1,200 m... an ancient basilica and the restored grounds of a former monastery... the statue of the black Madonna  carved in Swiss pinewood has always been venerated; several miracles and protections are attributed to the Virgin of Oropa... it is still a very important Italian pilgrimage destination with a reputation for providing relief to the sick... more than 800,000 pilgrims visit Oropa each year... and with great matching stamp👍...Thanks Teresa!【ツ】

The Sanctuary of Oropa is located in Oropa city in Piemonte region.

It's a Roman Catholic devotional complex and the construction began in 1617 near to the pre-existing Black Virgin of Oporo. The 12 chapels (plus another seven nearby) are united by a devotional path, and inside these chapels scenes from the story of the life of the Virgin are represented.

Oropa is one of the nine sites on the Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy on the UNESCO list  since 2003.

Stamp:

Italian Artistic and Cultural Heritage 

Sanctuary of Oropa 

(Issued 29-08-2021)

ITALY ~ The Basilica of San Zeno - Verona - UNESCO ~

...  Lovely view of one of the oldest Italian churches... beautifully restored and a stunning example of typical Romanesque architecture... with an amazing original brass door... fantastic Romanesque interior... high-quality medieval frescoes... a lovely cloister and great carving inside and out... its crypt was the place of the marriage of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet💞... it's one of the  “4 Historic Churches in Verona”... you have to walk a little out from the main historical area of Verona to find it... but it's well worth the effort... San Zeno is one of Verona's finest treasures and a must see... Thanks a lot Luca!ヽ(ヅ)ノ

The Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore was constructed between 967 and 1398 AD and was built on the site where Saint Zeno was buried after his death in 371. Zeno of Verona was the eighth bishop of Verona. The Basilica was built with distinctive cream-colored tuff.

On the left, the early 13thC monastery is built with red brick. To the right of the Basilica is a slender 12thC bell tower.

 The city of Verona has been a Unesco World Heritage site since 2000.

 Stamp:

Parks and Botanical Gardens

(Issued 12-08-2015)

ITALY ~ Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park - Veneto - UNESCO ~

... A nice postcard showing a "sister park" of the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park... the Omora Park in Navarrino Island (Chile)... the twinning linked to the emigration of people from Belluno and from Venetia in the world led to the creation of "sister park" relationships... Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Raffaella!【ツ】

The Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park is located in the West Dolomites in the northern part of the country and covers an area of 32 km².

The park is home to the Dolomites which actually extend well beyond the boundaries of the national park. It is one of the smallest parks among the 25 national parks of Italy.

The Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2009.

Stamp:

Italian Squares

(Issued 02-07-2016)