PARAGUAY ~ Asunción ~

... Nice Paraguay postcard nr 2... a tram view from the 70's in the capital Asuncion... one of the oldest cities in South America and the longest continually inhabited area in the Río de la Plata Basin... for this reason it is nicknamed  "the Mother of Cities"... the city is filled with historic buildings and cultural landmarks... Dear Diego, I hope you reach your goal of visiting 100 countries by 40🤞... Thanks a lot!【ツ】

Asunción was founded in 1537 (the Feast of the Assumption) by Juan de Salazar y Espinoza on the east bank of the Paraguay River, 956 miles upstream from the port of Buenos Aires, Asunción became the capital of Paraguay on 14 May 1811.

Asunción is a Spanish word that means ascension or assumption. In most cases the name refers to the Assumption of Mary.
 

Stamps:

Law n°5777 - For a life without violence 

(Issued 11-05-2018)

250 Years of The Foundation City Of Col Oviedo

(2008)

Christmas 

(Issued 22-11-2018)

Solar del Artigas School

(Issued 14-06-2024)

PARAGUAY ~ Cultural Center of the Republic - Asunción ~

 ... Yippee😄...my first postcard ever from South America's least-visited country👍... lovely view of the pink cabildo (colonial town council), which was once the center of government... the Council was transformed into a cultural center to preserve and promote Paraguayan heritage... featuring impressive collections that highlight the nation's rich history in music, literature, theater, and dance... among its notable exhibits are rooms dedicated to sacred art, traditional clay artifacts, and the works of renowned Paraguayans artists... this influential cultural center is a also meeting place for bohemian thinkers, hosting regular cultural events and exhibitions by local artists, historians and academics... Thanks a lost Diego for another wonderful surprise! (✿◠‿◠) (with a nice selection of great stamps)

Paraguay is a small country located in the center of the continent of South America. It is landlocked by Bolivia, Argentina, and Brazil. Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, is the largest city in the country.

It is known for its tropical dry forests, grasslands, wetlands and cloud forests. Its diverse landscape is home to lots of different animals such as jaguars, capybaras, tapirs, monkeys, toucans, macaws, hummingbirds, snakes, turtles and lizards.

Stamps:

Tourism

(Issued 03-12-2015)

The 100th Anniversary of the Death of José Segundo Decoud

(03-12-2009)

Tereré - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

(15-09-2021)

BOLIVIA ~ Lake Titicaca ~

... Wonderful surprise💙 in my mailbox coming from the highest and most isolated country in the Americas... nicknamed the "Tibet of the Americas"... great view of a small fishing boat on Lake Titicaca with the snowy peaks of the Cordillera Real mountain range in the background... the highest freshwater lake of the world's large lakes... well-known for its natural beauty combined with local communities and cultures... the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca is believed to be the birthplace of the Incas... since ancient times, the Lake has been considered a sacred living spirit and it is the object of profound spiritual significance still today... tourists can explore the traditional villages and historic sites that dot the shoreline... anyone visiting Bolivia must pay a visit to Lake Titicaca... Thanks a lot Diego! (must be a wonderful place to visit) ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ and also for your kind words😊...it's always a pleasure to read that people enjoy visiting my blog!!!

© James Brunker
Bolivia is a  landlocked country in South America bordered by Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile and Peru. In the west the Andes Mountains stretch from north to south in two parallel ranges and it shares Lake Titicaca with Peru. The constitutional capital is the historic city of Sucre, where the Supreme Court is established, but the administrative capital is La Paz, where the executive and legislative branches of government function.

 Lake Titicaca has a surface of 8.400 km2, of which 3,690 km2 are on Bolivian territory. Its altitude is 3,810 meters above sea level and is the highest, commercially navigable lake in the world. The Cordillera Real, Spanish for Royal Range  is a sub-range of the Andes mountains. It was named by the 16th century conquistadors for its majestic snow-capped peaks. 

Stamp:

Christmas 

(Issued 20-12-2022)

USA ~ Alcatraz - San Francisco - California ~

...  Great aerial view of Alcatraz Island... the massive prison building on the island's crest dominates the view... after visiting a few Hawaiian island, the last stop on my nephew's holiday was San Francisco... and no trip to San Francisco is complete without seeing Alcatraz island... better known by its famous moniker, "The Rock",  one of America’s most feared prisons that no criminals wanted to be sent to... despite the steep cliffs, several would-be escapees chose this side to make their bid for freedom... a visit to the island includes a tour of the cell house where visitors can see how the prisoners lived... although the last inmates were transferred off the island in 1963, the main prison block, with its steel bars, claustrophobic cells, mess hall, library and "dark holes," is still structurally intact... while at Alcatraz, you have stunning views of the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge... Thanks a lot  Ben and Loes voor ♥*6*♥ wonderful postcards! (✿◠‿◠)

Alcatraz Island is a small island 2.01 km offshore from San Francisco.The island was developed in the mid-19th century with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, and a military prison. In 1934, the island was converted into a federal prison, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. The strong currents around the island and cold water temperatures made escape nearly impossible, and the prison became one of the most notorious in American history.

Among the 1,545 men sent there, a few were famous: Al “Scarface” Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, Arthur “Doc” Barker, Alvin “Creepy Karpis” Karpavicz, Robert “The Birdman” Stroud, Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson, and Meyer “Mickey” Cohen.

Stamp: 

Flowers - African Daisy 

(Issued 14-03-2022)

USA ~ Pele Goddes - Hawaii ~

... Beautiful artwork of Pele-honua-mea, Pele of the sacred land... she is Pele-ʻai-ho-nua, Pele the eater of the land, when she devours the land with her flame... Pele is a significant goddess in Hawaiian mythology and is often referred to as the goddess of fire, lightning, wind, and volcanoes... she rules the volcanoes of Hawai'i, and mankind has no power to resist her... hers is both the power to destroy and the power to create new land... her personality is volcanic-unpredictable, impulsive, to given sudden rages and violence...  native Hawaiians believe Pele lives in the Kilauea Volcano... Bedankt Ben en Loes!ヽ(•‿•)ノ

"Herb Kawainui KāneHerb Kāne’s artworks illustrating the history and culture of the Hawaiian and Polynesian islands are awe-inspiring glimpses into another world. His images of tall ships and oceangoing canoes, goddesses and native dancers delight people all over the world." 

There are as many versions of how Madame Pele came to Hawaii as there are lava rocks on Hawaii Island. One of them is: Pele traveled from Tahiti to Hawaii by canoe, being chased by her sister Namaka, who wished to put an end to Pele’s fires as well as Pele herself. As she moved from one island to another, it is said that Pele tried to draw lava from the ground and light fires throughout the journey. She traveled through Kauai, where there is an old hill called Puu ka Pele, meaning Pele’s Hill, and Oahu, Molokai, and Maui before coming to Hawaii. Finally, Namaka caught up with Pele in Hawaii and the sisters battled to death. Namaka emerged triumphant, putting out the fires of Pele’s wrath. After this, Pele became a spirit and went to live in the Kilauea Volcano.

 

Stamp: 

Flowers - African Daisy

(Issued 14-03-2022)

USA ~ Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - UNESCO ~

... Great view of the immense Halema’uma’u crater that crowns the park grounds... the center of activity at Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano... as the youngest and most active of the volcanoes on the Big island you can often see the lava glowing in its crater... reflecting the volcano's roles as both destroyer and creator, "Halema’uma’u" can be defined as either " House of Everlasting Fire" or House Surrounded by 'Ama'u Ferns"... it is one of the most culturally important places in the park and the legendary home of "Pele"... the  goddess of fire and volcanoes, according to the traditions of Hawaiian religion (next postcard😊)... seen by millions of tourists each year makes it the most visited attraction in Hawaiʻi... Thanks Ben & Loes!(✿ ♥‿♥)

 

Photo: G. Brad Lewis

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916 encompasses two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world's most massive subaerial volcano. The park gives scientists insight into the birth of the Hawaiian Islands and ongoing studies into the processes of vulcanism. 

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park was designated as an International Biosphere Reserve in 1980 and a World Heritage Site in 1987.
 

Stamp: 

Flowers - African Daisy 

(Issued 14-03-2022)

USA ~ Maui ~

... By using digital elavation models, a very acurate rendering of the island was created... here is a view of the entire island seen during the green winter months from an elevation high above the West Maui Mountains along the coastline... in the foregrond are Lahaina, Kaanapali and Kapalua... famously known as the "Valley Isle"... a name earned because of its location between two vulcanoes... in fact, each Hawaiian island has a nickname... Thanks a lot Ben and Loes!【ツ】

Maui  is the second largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago and has the world’s largest dormant volcano. Mount Haleakala forms over 75% of the island, while the other 25% is formed by another volcano, Mauna Kahalawai.There are 81 accessible beaches on Maui, including white, gold, black, and red sand, more than any other Hawaiian island. 

In August 2023, a series of wildfires destroyed approximately 80% of Lahaina and claiming at least 102 lives in the coastal town. The disaster became known as the deadliest modern-day fire in the U.S. and the worst catastrophe ever to impact the islands.

 

Stamp: 

Flowers - African Daisy 

(Issued 14-03-2022)

USA ~ Nakale Blowhole - Maui ~

... Hawaiian beaty nr 2💙... the Nakale Blowhole is an impressive, natural wonder in the lava fields of Maui... the approximately 30 m tall fountain beats from a shallow pool close to the sea... it shoots water high into the air regularly due to its windward (and windy) location and near-constant ocean swell activity... it is one of the most amazing sights on the island... but it is important to remember that people have died at the Maui blowhole... the area surrounding the spout is far more dangerous than it may appear, even on calm days... Heel Erg Bedankt Loes en Ben!ヽ(•‿•)ノ

Photo: © Ron DAniquist
The Nakalele Blowhole is located on the backside of West Maui near the northern most tip of Maui.

A blowhole is hole in the ground that connects to an underground, partially submerged ocean cave. The cave and opening are shaped in such a way that when the ocean rises or waves crash into it, a jet of water and air is violently forced out through the hole. The higher the tide and swells, the more spectacular the eruptions.

 

Stamp: 

Flowers - African Daisy 

(Issued 14-03-2022)

USA ~ Waikiki - Oʻahu Island - Hawaii ~

.. First of many great postcard from my nephew's honeymoon💕to Hawaii... and guess where this came from???😁... one of the most famous beaches in the world... once the playground of Hawaiian royals who enjoyed surfing there on early forms of longboards...Waikiki Beach, with easygoing breaks and sandy stretches is the birthplace of modern surfing culture... today the beachfront is lined with resorts and some of Hawaii’s most historic hotels... Thanks a lot Ben & Loes!(✿◠‿◠)

Waikiki is a Honolulu neighborhood and beach on the south shore of the island of Oʻahu in the U.S. state of Hawaii. Waikiki Beach is one of six beaches in the district.Waikiki was the first capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1795 to 1796.

The name Waikīkī means spouting fresh water in the Hawaiian language, for springs and streams that fed wetlands that once separated Waikīkī from the interior.

 Stamp: 

 Flowers - African Daisy 

 (Issued 14-03-2022)

CANADA ~ Pitcher Plant - Newfoundland and Labrador ~

... Lovely view of the most unusual of Canada's official flowers... unique compared to all others... every province has a floral symbol that represents something about their province or territory.... the Pitcher plant was first chosen as a symbol of Newfoundland by Queen Victoria, to be engraved on the newly-minted Newfoundland penny... in 1954 the Newfoundland Cabinet designated this interesting plant as the official flower of the province... it was used on the island's coinage until 1938... sent to celebrate "World Postcard Day" on October 1st😊... Thanks a lot Glenn! (✿◠‿◠)

The pitcher plant is commonly found growing in bogs both in Labrador and on the island of Newfoundland. 

Carnivorous plants grow in soil that has little nitrogen. All living things must have nitrogen. Carnivorous plants get nitrogen from the insects they eat.

This plant, named for its pitcher-like shaped leaves at the base of its stem, lures in insects and other small animals by using its brightly coloured red veins as a means of attraction. 

 

Stamps:

In Memoriam - Norman Jewison, 1926-2024 

(Issued 24-07-2024)

Endangered Frogs

(Issued 15-04-2023)

RWANDA ~ Nyamata Church - Genocide Memorial - UNESCO

...  Postcard showing the most horrific period in history of Rwanda... an intense and powerful genocide memorial... a mass grave in the former Catholic church at Nyamata... piles of clothes cover the small pews... the alter cloth still covers the alter, stained in blood... you can see marks in the walls from stray bullets... these stand as a reminder of the death of thousands of ordinary, everyday people whose only crime was that they had been labelled as Tutsie... the church basement, accessible down steep steps in the back, has been converted into a permanent catacomb... on either side of its very narrow hallways stand racks of skulls, bones, and coffins... it is a heartbreaking memorial but also an important reminder that we must never forget...Thanks once more Karolyn! (✿◠‿◠)

Above the church’s main entrance is a banner in Kinyarwanda, meaning:"If you had known me, and you had really known yourself, you would not have killed me."

This site is where around 2,500 people were killed and it has become emblematic of the barbaric treatment of women during the genocide. In the church at Nyamata, there will be graphic and audio-visual displays that will focus particularly on the mass rape, brutalisation of women and the use of HIV as a deliberate weapon of genocide.

During this 100 day period between April and July 1994, nearly one million ethnic Tutsi and moderate Hutu were killed as the international community and UN peacekeepers stood by.

Memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero became a UNESCO WHS site in 2023.

 

Stamp:

 

Folklore 

(Issued 15-11-2010)

RWANDA ~ Nyungwe National Park - UNESCO ~

... Great new National Park postcard of one of the oldest and best-preserved rainforests in Africa... it is home to a unique combination of wildlife found nowhere else... view of the colobus monkeys with beautiful black-and-white fur... here, you can spend time among some of the world’s largest troops of black-and-white colobus monkeys... while most colobus live in troops of up to a dozen members, the troops in Nyungwe number in the hundreds... this peculiarity has made these monkeys world-famous... this park is also known for chimpanzee trekking and canopy walking experiences... Thanks a lot Karolyn! (✿◠‿◠)

The Nyungwe National Park is set in the rolling hills of southwestern Rwanda, on the border with Burundi, established in 2005. It covers an area of approximately 1,019 km2 and is  home to intact forests and peat bogs, moors, thickets and grasslands, providing habitats to a highly diverse flora and fauna.

Home to more than 1000 animal species. The primates are Nyungwe’s main attraction, especially the charismatic chimpanzees. Another 12 primate species are present, including olive baboon, L'Hoest's monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, Ruwenzori colobus, silver monkey and owl-faced monkey.

Boasting an impressive array of birdlife, the forest is home to 317 avian species, including 26 species that only occur in the Albertine Rift and 121 specialized forest species. 

Nyungwe National Park has been inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, becoming the country's first site in 2023.

 Stamp: 

Folklore

(Issued 15-11-2010)

SRI LANKA ~ -Sigiriya Rock - UNESCO ~

... Great aerial view of the Pidurangala and Sigiriya Rock (Lion Rock) surrounded by dense forest... Pidurangala Rock is located just over a kilometre away from Sigiriya and the summit is just slightly lower than that of Lion Rock... this makes it the perfect platform to get the best views of Sigiriya as the sun rises... Sigiriya Rock rises 180 meters above the surrounding area... and is so steep that its top overhangs the sides... visitors can climb the 1,200 steps, divided amongst a number of staircases... this ancient palace and fortress complex has significant archaeological importance and is probably the most visited tourist destination of Sri Lanka... with nice matching UNESCO Sigiriya Rock stamp👍... Thanks a lot Ravindra!ヽ(•‿•)ノ

The citadel on top of the 5th-century Sigiriya Lion Rock/Sigiriya Fortress was built by King Kasyapa. It includes water gardens, a moat, terraced gardens and archaeological features. The advanced and impressive hydraulic system consisting of canals, lakes, dams, bridges, fountains and underground water pumps still provides water to the Sigiriya Rock gardens today. 

The rock itself is a lava plug left over from an ancient long extinct volcano. There was once a lion's face hewn into the rock as well, but it's been eroded by the elements. This is how Sigiriya - which translates as 'lion rock' - got its name.

It wasn’t until 1831 that the abandoned Sigiriya Rock was discovered by a British Army Major. He came across the site whilst horseback riding through Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya Rock was designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
 

Stamps:

Gems of Sri Lanka 

(Issued 06-11-2021)

UNESCO World Heritage - Siriya 

(Issued 15-06-2023)

Pigeon Island Marine National Park

(Issued 22-08-2014)

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.

USA ~ Lincoln Memorial - Washington ~

... Great views of the iconic and impressive memorial built to honor the 16th U.S. president who guided the nation through Civil War... the building contains Lincoln’s gigantic marble statue... as an enduring symbol of Freedom and Unity, the Lincoln Memorial is a testament to the life and legacy of the President... a reminder of the powerful events that have taken place over the years... it has been the setting of many famous speeches... it continues to be an important part of American history and culture, and a source of inspiration for generations to come... it is among the city most popular tourist attractions, with more than seven million visitors annually.... a must-see for every visitor to the nation’s capital... Thanks a lot Len!【ツ】

The Memorial was designed by architect Henry Bacon and was dedicated on May 30, 1922.

The architect  drew inspiration from classical antiquity. The arcade consists of 36 Doric columns representing the states forming the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death in 1865. The names of the states and the date of statehood were inscribed on the frieze above the colonnade. Since Hawaii and Alaska joined the Union in 1959, their names are not included in the attic. Instead, a grey granite plaque was added on the Lincoln Memorial’s steps, recognizing their statehood.

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, as the nation approached its third year of bloody civil war. The proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free."

 

Stamps:

US Flags

(Issued 14-06-2024)

Carrier Pigeon 

(Issued 12-01-2024)

Hank Aaron, 1934-2021

(Issued 31-07-2024)

ARUBA ~ MOTW ~

...Nice postcard from the MOTW series... not really a big fan from all those different "series" postcards... but this design I like... Aruba, often referred to as 🌞"One Happy Island"🌞 is a stunning Caribbean destination known for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant culture... the island’s warm and welcoming locals, year-round sunshine, and diverse attractions make it a top destination for travelers from around the world... Thanks a lot Denise! (✿◠‿◠)   

Aruba is an Autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and one of the Lesser Antilles islands located in the Southern Caribbean Sea. It is one of the four countries that form the Kingdom of the Netherlands, along with the Netherlands, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten; the citizens of these countries are all Dutch nationals. Its capital is Oranjestad.

Stamp:

Definitives - Alto Vista Chapel

(Issued 2007)

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

CUBA ~ Tomas Terry Theater - Cienfuegos - UNESCO ~

... Beautiful interior view of a majestic theater located in the historical centre of the city... an architectural gem steeped in history and elegance... a mixture of French, Spanish and Cuban architecture... the auditorium, in the shape of a horseshoe, boasts 950 seats and is decorated with Carrara marble, hand-carved wooden flooring, and a ceiling filled with stunning Classicist-style frescoes... this eclectic-style building is being considered to be one of the most important in the city... Thanks Angelo!ヽ(•‿•)ノ

This theater was built between 1887 and 1889 in honor of Tomás Terry Adans, one of the richest men in Cuba who made a huge fortune in the sugar business in the 19th century.

It was opened in 1895 with the excellent performance of Aida, by Giuseppe Verdi. Since then, numerous personalities from various nationalities have had the honour of performing in it.

The Historic Centre of Cienfuegos was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

 

Stamps:

Cats 

(Issued 14-02-2007)

Orchids 

(Issued 10-11-1995)

GERMANY ~ Cathedral of Our Lady - Constance ~

... Nice view of the impressive Cathedral of Our Lady (Münster Unserer Lieben Frau) that stands proudly as a testament to past eras and is an integral part of the cityscape of Constance... a true pearl of historical architecture and one of the most important sacred buildings on the beautiful lake... with its majestic façade and striking towers is it not only an architectural masterpiece, but also a place of great historical importance... its late Romanesque architecture, artistic sculptures and Gothic stained glass windows makes it a testament to medieval craftsmanship at its finest... and a magnet for visitors from all over the world... one can also climb up to the tower for panoramic views across Konstanz and towards the Switzerland’s Alps... Thanks Dustin!【ツ】

It was built in the 11th century and has undergone numerous changes over the centuries. Over a period of more than twelve centuries, the Minster served as a cathedral for the bishops of Konstanz.

The Konstanz Minster is a place where history was written. From 1414 to 1418, the Konstanz Minster hosted the Council of Constance, one of the largest medieval congresses north of the Alps. The Minster served as the official meeting place for the council sessions, general congregations and liturgical celebrations.  

 

Photo: F.-J. Stiele-Werdermann

Stamp:

Lighthouse

(Issued 04-07-2024)

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

AZORES ~ Gruta das Torres - Pico Island ~

... View of the largest volcanic cave known to date in the Azores... the Gruta das Torres was discovered in 1990 located at an altitude of 285 meters and is about 5km long with a maximum height of 15 meters... it has a large main tunnel and several smaller tunnels with different structures at the top and sides... a visit to the cave is a 450-meter long walk... you have the opportunity to observe different types of lava and diverse geological formations...  such as stalactites and stalagmites, lateral benches, lava balls, striated walls and roped lava... as well as being able to verify the existence of fauna and flora specific to this location... you get to know the island from the "inside"... Thanks João!【ツ】 

Design: Nuno Farinha - Photo: Jorge Góis
Pico Island is the second largest island in the Azores Archipelago. It owes its name to the majestic volcanic mountain (Ponta do Pico) which ends in a pronounced peak whose toponym is Pico Pequeno or Piquinho. It is the highest mountain in Portugal and the third highest mountain emerging from the Atlantic reaching 2,351 meters in altitude.

The Gruta das Torres is part of the Lajidos – Gruta das Torres formation, located in the Montanha Volcanic Complex. It is estimated that it was formed around 1,500 years ago during an eruption originating from Cabeço Bravo.

 

Stamp:

Adhesive Stamp

(Issued 21-05-2020)

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

FRANCE ~ Château de Montaillou - Ariège ~

... Nice views of a ruined castle dominating the village from the hill overlooking the upper Hers Valley... watches over the landscape that has hardly changed for centuries... all that remains of this rectangular castle are three walls of a ruined keep and evidence of other walls and earthworks... Montaillou was one of the last Cathar strongholds to fall... Ariège is certainly the destination that still contains the most secrets, mystical places, villages, and especially castles linked to Catharism... the Cathar castles, bastions of rebellion, of resistance to the Catholic Church, are exceptional places to explore here... Thanks a lot Josep&Assumpta! (✿◠‿◠)

This small village, located on the border of Ariège and Aude at an altitude of 1,300 meters, has only about twenty inhabitants in winter. Montaillou has in fact remained famous thanks to ancient writings which bear witness to Cathar practices in the region in the 13th century. 

The castle probably had three storeys and was built by the lords of Alion around the end of the 12th century, occupying a platform roughly 100m long by 30 to 40 m wide. The plan of the castle was simple: a wall linked to a tower followed the contours of the hill.

In the 12th century, a Christian religion different from Catholicism developed in the South of France: Catharism.This new belief, based on Christianity but highly criticized by Catholicism, quickly spread throughout Occitania a région of southern France. 

 

Stamp:

Personalities - Agnes Varda, 1928-2019 

(Issued 02-04-2024)

MEXICO ~ Peña de Bernal monolith - Bernal ~

... Great view of the iconic and main attraction of the town, the Peña de Bernal massive monolith... it rises  433 meters and creates a staggering backdrop of the town... it is the third-tallest monolith in the world.... you can hike up 80% of the rock to an ample outlook point... it is an incredibly steep hike at an altitude of 2500 meter above sea level... with spectacular view of the town, sky, and surrounding mountains...  at the highest point there is a small chapel where many religious travelers like to leave offerings or pray to culminate the climb... located in the heart of Mexico, Peña de Bernal is a charming and picturesque pueblo mágico (magical town)...it has very colorful cobbled streets, architectural and artistic buildings... Thanks a lot Carlos!【ツ】

San Sebastián Bernal, better known as Bernal (Spanish: from Basque Vernal, "place of stones or boulders"), is a colonial village in the Mexican state of Querétaro. It was founded in 1642 by Spanish soldier Alonso Cabrera.

According to geologists, Peña was formed as the relic of a volcanic eruption from the Jurassic Period. The lava from the volcano's center is harder than the surrounding crater. Over the millennia, the softer rock eroded away, leaving us with the hardened lava.  

Translated from the Greek word “monolithos”, monolith means single stone. 

Photo: Carlos A. Estrada

 

Stamp:

Textile Art

(Issued 13-10-2023)

USA ~ Fort Gratiot Light Station - Port Huron - Michigan ~

... Lovely view of the Fort Gratiot Light Station... located next to the new Coast Guard Station and includes the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse... a significant landmark on the west bank of Lake Huron... it is the oldest standing lighthouse in Michigan and still active... the Coast Guard station and lighthouse watch over one of the busiest waterways in the world....the property also features a public beach and a park... weather permitting, the Fort Gratiot Light Station is one of the few operating lighthouses that allow visitors to climb to the tower and step out onto the catwalk for a breathtaking view... a unique vantage point of the U.S. and Canadian waters... Thanks a lot dear Andrene! (✿◠‿◠)

Photo: John Penrod

Fort Gratiot is located in Port Huron, by the Blue Water Bridge that goes into Canada. It was built in 1814 along the St. Clair River to defend the region during the War of 1812.  New lighthouse was built in 1829 north of the military fort in a better sighted location at the head of the St. Clair River.

The 86 ft light stands above the lake level in a conical stone tower, overlaid with red brick that has been painted white. The keeper's cottage and fog whistle house are red.

 

Stamp: 

Flowers - African Daisy 

(Issued 14-03-2022)