RUSSIA ~ Republic of Tyva ~

...Nice postcard from a special place located in the heart of Asia... a largely unknown republic of the Russian Federation and almost isolated from the world...  with unique culture and identity... the mountains are breathtaking... there are 100 plus minerals springs... famous for its Tuvan throat singing.... Thanks a lot Eugene!!ヽ(ヅ)ノ

Tyva Republic (also called Tuva) is situated in the center of Asia in southern Siberia, part of Siberian Federal District. The republic borders the Altai Republic, the Republic of Khakassia, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Irkutsk Oblast, and the Republic of Buryatia in Russia and Mongolia to the south. It is the homeland of the Tuva people.

The city of Kyzyl is the capital of the Tuva Republic in the extreme east of Siberia, Russia. Kyzyl lays claim to being located precisely in the geographical center of Asia - a claim that has proven to be somewhat controversial.

Stamps:

 Definitive Issue. Kremlins
(Issued 01-10-2009)

The 850th Anniversary of the City of Velikiye Luki
(Issued 14-07-2016)

CRIMEA ~Gaspra-Swallow's Nest Castle~

Thanks a lot Alex for this gorgeous fairytale looking castle with a wonderful name "Swallow's Nest" and in an amazing seting !!
It now appears to be a very expensive Italian restaurant...
As Crimea is an autonomous republic of Ukraine, located on the northern coast of the Black Sea, I think I can consider it as a new place...:D


The "Swallow's Nest Castle" stands on the Rock of Aurora,40 meters (130 feet) above the Black Sea. It is known that it was built by a retired general, a participant of the Russian-Turkish war and he was a really romantic person, because only a romantic could have the strength to build a castle as Swallow's Nest, called "Castle of Love”. It was built in the spirit of chivalrous times. Its house is decorated with towers, steeples, balconies, windows of Gothic forms and battlements.

Gaspra is a village, situated on the southern coast of Crimea. It is a part of Great Yalta. The name of Gaspra comes from the Greek "Aspres" - white.