BRAZIL ~ Church of Saint Francis of Assisi - UNESCO ~

... Great view of the first listed modern architectural monument in Brazil...  the church was controversial from the beginning... scandalized by the unconventional design, church officials took 14 years to agree to have it consecrated... however when you visit it today you will see the extent to which this once shocking building has now been embraced not only by locals, but also by people from all over the world... best to visit the chapel in the late afternoon to see its murals beautifully illuminated with colored lights as night falls... Thanks Ruben!【ツ】  

The Church of St. Francis of Assisi, more commonly known as Igreja da Pampulha, is a chapel located in the Pampulha region in south-eastern Brazil.

It was designed by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer in the organic modern style  and consists of four undulating concrete parabolas with outdoor mosaics and completed in 1943.

The church is classified as a UNESCO WHS since 2016 as part of the Pampulha Modern Ensemble, a collection of Niemeyer buildings in Pampulha.

Pampulha Modern Ensemble is built as a Garden City around an artificial lake. This neighbourhood of Belo Horizonte was designed from 1940 on by architect Oscar Niemeyer and landscape designer Roberto Burle Marx. The ensemble included a casino, a restaurant/dance hall, a yacht club, a golf club and a church. 

Photo: Sérgio Ricardo de Freitas

 

 Stamps:

Viticulture in Brazil 

(Issued 22-12-2020)

Professions - Self-Adhesive

(Issued 30-12-2005)

GERMANY ~ Natural History Museum - Braunschweig ~

... Nice view showing one more of the famous "dioramas" in the oldest natural museum in Germany... the Uhu or Eurasian eagle-owl...  the indigenous fauna, including species now extinct in Germany, is on show in 29 dioramas that are of national renown... they give you the impression of being out in the countryside... and are among the most beautiful seen in a natural history museum... with young wild animals series stamp... a cute "Field hamster"💙 and special First Day postmark... Thanks a lot Dustin! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

Photo: G. Linhardt
The Natural History Museum is a zoology museum and was founded in 1754 by Duke Carl I. 

The museum  has gathered a huge collection of skeletons and stuffed animals from around the world. His main exhibitions now show fossils found in the region, animals that lived in the past in the past, and a collection of insects and birds from around the world. It has also an aquarium with bulbs inhabiting the coastal waters of Germany. 

 Stamp:

Baby Animals

(10-06-2021)

Definitive Issue - Flowers  

ARUBA ~ One Happy Island ~

... Many lovely views of a stunning, picturesque island in the middle of the Caribbean☀️... Aruba has it all: beaches, boating and its natural beauty that has been shaped and formed over many centuries...blue skies and hot sun year round... since Covid 19 has made traveling ✈️ 🚢 almost impossible this is my first "holiday" surprise postcard coming from a tropical paradise for over more than a year... Thanks a lot Denise! (✿ ♥‿♥) 

Aruba is 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:

Alto Vista Chapel or Pilgrims Church

(Issued 2007)

GERMANY ~ State Museum of Prehistory - Halle ~

... Nice view of one of the most renowned archaeological museums in Central Europe... home of the world-famous Nebra Sky Disc... a circular bronze plate with gold symbols that is somewhere between 3,700 and 4,100 years old...  it's the world's oldest known concrete representation of the sky and simply magical... the key aspect of its permanent and special exhibitions is human evolutionary and cultural history, which first became tangible in Central Germany around 450,000 years ago... for anybody interested in the history of human beings from the stone ages onwards, this museum is an absolutely must see... with football stamp and special football postmark... for the football lovers, (I'm not one of them😉) the 2021 Euro final is tonight live on TV (England vs Italy)...Thanks Dustin!【ツ】 

Founded in Naumburg in 1819, it was moved to Halle in 1825, and within Halle to its present location in 1918.

The exhibition is divided into six sections, including "Intellectual Power", "Brilliant Bronze" and "Species Switch", which take visitors on a chronological journey through almost 400,000 years of history, from the start of the Stone Age to the Early Roman Empire.

 

Stamp:

UEFA EURO-2020 European Football Championship 

(10-06-2021)

GERMANY ~ Resistance Memorial Center - Berlin ~

... A nice postcard related to my previous blog post... this commemorative courtyard represents the center of the Bendler Block where the German Resistance Memorial Center is located... a moving and fascinating gem of a museum... the structure was the Wehrmacht’s headquarters during the war... the German Resistance Museum is the place where not only those men who were executed for the plot on Adolph Hitler's life but is also dedicated to all the people who resisted the Nazis to save the Jews, many of whom were caught and paid the ultimate sacrifice for their deeds... today, this museum recognizes their efforts and that their memory never is forgotten.. although there was no organized anti-fascist German resistance, close to 100,000 individuals were executed for their opposition to the Nazis... the museum chronicles the history of Nazi Germany and of all those individuals and groups who opposed Nazism... with same Sophie Scholl stamp and great special postmark... read more about the stamp➝ HERE... Thanks Dustin!【ツ】 

 

The German Resistance Memorial Center is a memorial and museum in Berlin. It was opened in 1980 in part of the Bendlerblock, 

A memorial museum about the various forms that resistance against the Nazi dictatorship took between 1933 and 1945 in Germany, including the assassination attempt on Hitler on 20 July 1944 by Stauffenberg. 

Since 1989, the German Resistance Memorial Center's permanent exhibition has been a central site of remembrance in Germany, providing extensive documentation of the motives, aims, and forms of the fight against the National Socialist dictatorship.

 

Stamp: 

Sophie Scholl 

Issued (09-05-2021)

GERMANY ~ White Rose Resistance - Sophie Scholl ~

... Although her name is not widely know outside Germany Sophie Scholl is an iconic figure and one of the most famous women in German history... I also never heard of her... Sophie Scholl and the White Rose movement, is a powerful example of youthful resistance to the Nazi Regime... a stamp was issued on the 100th birthday of Sophie Scholl and commemorates the fighter against National Socialism... the stamp features a photo taken by her brother & some of her last words: On the morning that she went to the guillotine, Sophie, aged 21, said: "Such a fine, sunny day, and I have to go... What does my death matter, if through us, thousands of people are awakened and stirred to action?"...  it’s remarkable that someone so young would have that much courage and dedication to the cause and then lose her life for her beliefs... with wonderful special first day postmark👍... Thanks a lot Dustin! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  

"Sophie Scholl ( 1921-1943) was a member of the Nazi resistance group The White Rose. She, her brother Hans, and other members of the group were executed in 1943 for treason after publishing multiple leaflets and spraying graffiti criticizing the Nazi regime at the University of Munich.

The young activists anonymously spread information leaflets encouraging citizens to resist the Nazi regime, denouncing the murder of Jewish people and demanding an end to the war around the university and the wider city between 1942 and 1943, before the central figures were discovered and arrested by the Gestapo.

The group produced their sixth pamphlet at the beginning of 1943. "The German name is forever damaged if the German youth doesn't finally rise up, avenge and atone at the same time, crush their tormentors and found a new spiritual Europe."

Stamp:

Sophie Scholl

Issued (09-05-2021)

BELGIUM ~ Flowers - Ardennes ~

... Lovely native flower postcard...  this natural region of hill and dale acts as Belgium's green lung... and this french speaking region is totally different from the busy, industrial north... due to the rolling hills and the lush green scenery this area became a popular spot for travellers who love the outdoors... there is also plenty beneath the rolling hills such as mines and caves for spectacular day trips... Heel Erg Bedankt Loes en Ben! (✿ ♥‿♥)

The Ardennes is a region located primarily in southeast Belgium and Luxembourg, but stretching as well into Germany and France.

The Belgian Ardennes spans over 3 Walloon provinces; Namur, Luxembourg and Liège. The city of Namur is considered the central gateway to the Ardennes due it’s strategical location at the junction of the rivers Sambre and Meuse, whilst Liège forms the eastern gateway.

Stamp: 

Flowers

(Issued 24-10-2016)

SINGAPORE ~ Public Housing ~

... View of Singapore's colorful HDB residential public housing... an important aspect of Singapore's culture... the majority of the population lives in Housing Development Board (HDB) flats.... given the space constraints on the island, the only way to build was up... for over 50 years, the Housing Development Board (HDB)  have provided quality and affordable public housing for generations of Singaporeans... Public housing grounds in Singapore are clusters of public housing blocks arranged as a single unit... comprising an average of 10 blocks per precinct, they are collectively grouped into up to nine neighbourhoods per new town... Thanks Jobbo!¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The Housing & Development Board (HDB) is Singapore's public housing authority.They provide various commercial, recreational, and social amenities in  towns for residents’ convenience. 

Established on 1 February 1960 during the nation’s housing crisis, we were tasked with providing sanitary living conditions to replace the prevalent unhygienic slums and crowded squatter settlements. We delivered, and built 21,000 flats in less than 3 years. By 1965, within a decade of our formation, we had built 54,000 flats. Singapore's public housing has housed an entire nation – today, more than 1 million flats have been completed in 23 towns and 3 estates across the island.

HDB flats are home to over 80% of Singapore's resident population, with about 90% of these resident households proudly owning their home.

Stamp:

75th Anniversary of the End of World War II 

(Issued 12-09-2020)

GERMANY ~ Bavarian Forest National Park ~

... Finally, a long overdue blog post😊... plenty of lovely views of the country's first National Park... thickly wooded paradise for lovers of fresh air... most of the Bavarian Forest NP or known in Germany as "Bayerischer Wald" is mountain spruce... criss-crossed by hundreds of kilometres of marked hiking, cycling and cross-country skiing trails... with great Europa stamp and nice first day Beetle postmark👍... this year the theme is "Endangered National Wildlife"... unfortunately as mostly in Belgium the Europe stamps are issued as a souvenir-sheet of two stamps and costs 11,10 Euro (2x Europe 3rd class value) ... a bit to expensive to buy.... and there was once again no Bpost event to get them with the special first day postmark😔... Big Thanks Dustin for this new wonderful NP for my collection!(✿ ♥‿♥)  

It was founded in 1970 and since its expansion in 1997 it has covered an area of 24,250 hectares.Together with the neighbouring Czech Bohemian Forest the Bavarian Forest forms the largest contiguous area of forest in Central Europe.

The forest is comprised of spruce trees, European silver fir, European beech, Norway spruce, mixed mountain forest, highland forests, and water meadow spruce woods. 

The Bavarian Forest NP features three key peaks of which GroBer Rachel is the highest with a summit of 1,453 m. The other two peaks include Lusen at 1,373 m and GroBer Falkenstein at 1,305 m. 

Wildlife of the park includes popular animals like the lynx, the bear, and the wolf which make up the primary predators of the forest. Other mammalian species include deer, European bison, beaver, otters and countless bird species.otters.

 

EUROPA Stamp - Endangered National Wildlife

(Issued 06-05-2021)

GERMANY ~ Hercules Fountain - Water Management System of Augsburg - UNESCO ~

... Nice view of a historical landmark... the most beautiful bronze sculpture in Augsburg... this historic fountain is one of the elements of the triad of fountains standing on the main square in the city... the Hercules Fountain symbolize Augsburg’s pride in its wealth of water resources... however, due to environmental threats and vandalism the original bronze sculptor is now on display at the Maximillian Museum... with great new released Olympic Games stamp and special postmark👍... Thanks a lot Dustin!

Photo: Ulrich Findeisen
The Hercules fountain was made in 1597 by Adriaen de Vries and was installed at the current location 5 years later. The bronze sculpture shows Hercules killing the Hydra, a seven headed monster from Greek mythology. The naiads below the image of Hercules are believed to be the goddesses of time and fate. Underneath them are three boys with geese, a very popular design in The Middle Ages, and the busts of three men with sea shells.

The Water Management System of Augsburg has produced various technological innovations in the areas of waterways and drinking water supply.

The system consists of 22 different components, varying from hydroelectric power stations to fountains. It has its origins in the Middle Ages, when canals were built to bring water to the mills, tanneries, textile producers and goldsmiths. From 1545 there was a strict separation between drinking water and water for industry use. 

The Water Management System of Augsburg was added to the World Heritage list in July 2019.

 

Stamp:

New Olympic Sports 

(Issued 06-05-2021)

SPAIN ~ Sant Pere de Rodes - El Port de la Selva - Catalonia ~

... Spectacular monastery view that rises majestically on one of the peaks of the Serra de Rodes... more than 1000 years of history... one of the most impressive and ancient vestiges of Romanesque architecture in Catalonia... the great height of the mountain and proximity to the sea make that the first thing that the visitor sees of this monastery are its breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea... the second is the huge size of the building.... it represents a true colossus of architecture, both at the time it was built, as it is today... the monastery is one of the major tourist attractions of the Costa Brava and can be accessed by car or on foot...Thanks a lot Josep&Assumpta! (✿ ♥‿♥) 

Sant Pere de Rodes complex is made up of Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery, the town of Santa Creu and Verdera Castle, is in the heart of Cap de Creus Nature Reserve and part of the municipality of Port de la Selva. 

It was founded in the late 9thC during the expansion of the Benedictine monastic order in the Catalan counties promoted by the Frankish monarchy.

The main monument is Sant Pere Monastery and under its aegis Verdera Castle and the town of Santa Creu flourished.

Photo: © Ricard Pia 

Stamp:

 Museums 

(Issued 26-03-2021)

UGANDA ~ Chimpanzees - Kibale Forest National Park ~

... Another great new African National Park👍... Kibale forest is known for hosting the largest population of chimpanzees in Uganda, about 1,500 living among its dense, sprawling canopy.... the best place for chimpanzee trekking on the African continent... it is home to five habituated groups of chimpanzees, which have become so used to human interaction that a close encounter is likely...  Thanks a lot Alena!❁◕ ‿ ◕❁    

Kibale National Park is located in Western Uganda, protecting moist evergreen rain forest. It is 766 square kilometres in size and is located between 1,100m to 1,600m in elevation established in 1993.

 Chimpanzees are the closest relatives to humans sharing about 98% of their DNA composition with humans. They are sociable animals and their groups can be comprised of anywhere between 10 and 100 members. 

 As well as chimpanzees, Kibale Forest homes 12 other species of primates, including the black and white colobus monkeys, the red-tailed monkey and the grey cheeked mangabey.

 Stamp: 

Isimba Hydropower Plant and Interconnection Project

(Issued 14-05-2019)

UGANDA ~ Giraffes - Murchison Falls National Park ~

... First of two fantastic new African National Parks... Murchison Falls National Park is one of the oldest, the largest and most visited parks... home to the tallest animal in the world, the Rothschild Giraffe... with a population of over 1,550 Giraffes, there is nowhere else that you can see groups of up to 50 animals roaming the Savannah of the park... I did not swap for these postcards... I saw on facebook a request about donating money for a written and stamped postcard: "100% of the money are used for reusable sanitary pads workshops (material) and maternal health books. Many girls got pregnant during lockdown, when the schools closed and cannot attend school anymore. This workshop is helping them to (among others) start a business of selling reusable sanitary pads, which in turn can help many other girls not to miss school due to their period."... Covid19 has a big impact on all our lives... but living in poverty and being a girl in African countries must make it all even much more difficult☹... so, I'm glad to be able to support them a little bit❤... and I hope to get more "rare" African countries through this project... Thanks a lot Alena!【ツ】  

Murchison Falls National Park, also called Kabalega Falls National Park or Kabarega National Park, located in northwestern Uganda, established in 1952. It occupies an area of  3,840 square km of rolling grassland east of Lake Albert. The Victoria Nile bisects the park from east to west.

The Rothschild giraffe is only found in Uganda and Kenya. All of the areas where you can see Rothschild's giraffes in the wild are in protected areas.

This giraffe is taller than all other subspecies - males growing to six metres in height and weighing around 850kg (adult female) to 1200kg (adult male) - but the animal does not have horns; instead, it has cartilage structures unattached to its skull called ossicones that are flat at birth and stand within a few days. 

Stamp:

Isimba Hydropower Plant and Interconnection Project 

(Issued 14-05-2019)

SINGAPORE ~ SMRT Train ~

... Nice view of the SMRT (Singapore Mass Rapid Transit)... Singapore’s iconic multi-modal public transport operator... one of Singapore's most used transport on a daily basis... this system is probably the fastest way to travel around the city... most of the popular attractions are just a short walk away from an MRT station, making these trains a great way to get around... great experience, clean efficient, affordable and safe... Thanks Jobbo!ヽ(ヅ)ノ 

The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is a heavy rail rapid transit system that constitutes the bulk of the railway network in Singapore.

The first section opened on 7 November 1987, and the network has since grown rapidly in accordance with Singapore's aim of developing a comprehensive rail network as the backbone of the country's public transportation system.

 As of January 2020, the MRT network encompasses 203km of route on standard gauge, with 122 stations in operation, spread across six lines, with an average daily ridership of 3.4 million in 2019.

 

Stamp:

The 150th Anniversary of Istana 

(Issued 08-10-2019)

GERMANY ~ Old Town Square - Brunswick ~

... Nice view of  the Old Town Square, with Henry the Lion Burgplatz statue... a landmark and true symbol of the city... cast in bronze by an unknown artist in the Romanesque style in the 11thC... this replica has been here since 1989, while the original is in Burg Dankwarderode to protect it from the elements.... and the historic Huneborstel House in half-timbered style... the half-timbered facade of the Huneborstel house, which today is also known as Gildehaus, dates back to 1525... with as always a lovely special matching postmark👍... Thanks a lot Dustin for another beautiful view of your hometown!【ツ】

In Lower Saxony, Braunschweig (also known as Brunswick) is the largest city between Berlin and Hanover. The city was founded by the Duke of Saxony, Henry the Lion, a member of the Welf Dynasty that would be present in Braunschweig right up to 1918. In the Middle Ages the city was a major trading hub and was one of the last nine remaining members of the Hanseatic League.

 

Stamp: 

Definitives - Flowers 

(01-07-2019)

CANADA ~ The Johnston Canyon Waterfalls - Banff National Park - UNESCO ~

... Pretty views of a breathtaking natural attraction in Banff National Park... these waterfalls are one of the many found within the scenic Johnston Canyon itself... it is a wonderful example of centuries-old rock formations... Johnston Canyon is an extremely popular and scenic trail which takes one along the waterfalls, lime stone rock tunnels, caves, steep canyons and blue-green pools at the end of the hike... a must-visit attraction and one of the busiest in the Canadian Rockies... Thanks a lot Glenn!✿◕ ‿ ◕✿ and this time no pen cancel but great *clear* postmarks!👍

The Johnston Canyon Waterfalls comprise a Lower Falls and Upper Falls as well as few more smaller ones.

Johnston Canyon was caused by erosion of limestone rock as Johnston Creek, a tributary of Bow River, empties into the Bow River. Over thousands of years, the erosion has formed gorges and waterfalls.

Banff National Park is Canada‘s oldest national park, established in 1885 in the Rocky Mountains and is the third-oldest national park in the world. Today, Banff National Park is 6,641km2 in area, the second largest of Canada’s mountain parks behind Jasper National Park.

In 1984, Banff was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stamps:

Fauna - Snow Mammals

(Issued 16-02-2021)

GERMANY ~ Central Railway Station - Hamburg ~

... View from the past... it is the last completely preserved former station waiting room of the Harburg long-distance train station dating from around 1900... this waiting hall offered 1st and 2nd class travelers an elegant restaurant... since 1999 the Kunstverein Harburger Bahnhof has been located in these premises... with its size of around 356m2 and a ceiling height of seven meters it is now used as an exhibition space to promote and convey young, contemporary art...  with a stamp showing a modern subway station also in Hamburg "Überseequartier"... and nice special postmark... Thanks a lot Dustin!【ツ】 

Ⓒ Helms-Museum 2005
The architect Hubert Stier designed the waiting room in the style of historicism. This imitated the neo styles and combined them in new ways. The brick-colored brick buildings refer to the Hanover School, which is part of the neo-Gothic brick style. Features from the Neo-Renaissance can be found in round arches, pilasters, dark wood paneling and the coffered ceiling.

 Stamp:

Überseequartier station in Hamburg

(Issued 01-03-2021)

GERMANY ~ The program with the Mouse ~

... Cute "Die Sendung mit der Maus" (the show with the mouse) postcard... one of the oldest and most popular children's programs on German television... it has been broadcast on Sunday mornings since 1971... each episode consists of several short segments that present information that is straight forward, simple, and easy to understand... her recipe for success still works today... between the amusing and the educational stories, there are short cartoons featuring the mouse and/or her friends the elephant and the duck... the show has won more than 75 awards... for the 50th anniversary of the show a special stamp was issued with sweet matching postmark...  Thanks a lot Dustin!ヽ(ヅ)ノ 

Die Sendung mit der Maus (The Show with the Mouse) is a children's series that has been called "the school of the nation".

The show first aired on 7 March 1971.The orange mouse in it was created by Isolde Schmitt-Menzel.

The mouse does not speak, but communicates through characteristic sounds introduced by Joern Poetzl.

Ⓒ I. SCHMITT-Menzel/Friedrich Streich

Stamp:

The program with the mouse  

(Issued 01-03-2021)

SLOVAKIA ~Vlkolínec - Great Fatra National Park - UNESCO ~

... Nice views of an old picturesque village, built in the beautiful surroundings of the ridges of the Veľká Fatra mountains... this village is not just an open air museum... you will find people actually still living in these historic wooden homes... you can see the old houses yourself and dive into the history... it is one of 10 Slovak villages which has been granted a status of a folk architecture reservation... because the village is untouched and has preserved historical monuments from 15thC... it is a lovely little place with one small museum, which is just a show room of an original farmhouse... a souvenir shop and very simple restaurant with an outside seating... Thanks Michal!【ツ】

Here a repost of a message I saw on postcard friend Glenns blog: (http://gemsworldpostcards.blogspot.com/)

"I recently received a card from Amy, a 6th grade teacher in Hartland, Wisconsin, USA. She says the class is learning about culture, geography, history and economics of each region of the world. Their mission is to be empathetic critical thinkers who are exposed to all different cultures in the world and appreciate the beauty and importance of diversity of culture and people. Amy says they love hearing about local stories, traditions and interesting facts . They love hearing what everyday life is like all around the world. So I thought what an opportunity to help these students. I have two cards filled out and ready to send. I would like to challenge all readers of my blog, all my postcard buddies around the world to help Amy's class by sending a postcard to them."

The address is:

Ms Forecki's 6th Graders

NSMS

800 E. North Shore Drive 

Hartland,WI 

53029

USA 

I'm gonna send some too... maybe this is just the *boost* I need to start sending postcards again because it has been been already a long time since I've wrote some😊... 

Vlkolínec, situated in the centre of Slovakia is a remarkably intact settlement of 45 buildings with the traditional features of a central European village. Each of the houses are made up of two or three rooms. A wooden belfry from the 18th century as well as the baroque chapel has also been preserved. 

The Great Fatra National Park  (Veľká Fatra) lying in central Slovakia is typical for its continuous forest, long valleys and the largest locality of original yew tree occurrence in Europe.

Vlkolínec has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993.

Stamps:

Church in Svatuse

(Issued 02-01-2009)

Church of the Virgin Mary in Bíňa

(Issued 02-01-2009)

LEBANON ~ St. John Mark Cathedral - Byblos - UNESCO ~

.... Nice view of a Crusades-era cathedral built as a place of worship for the crusaders when Byblos was an important port for the crusader kingdom of Jerusalem... located in the heart of Byblos surrounded by a beautiful garden known for its olive trees.... one of the most ancient churches in also one of the oldest inhabited and historic cities in the world... it has been preserved in its original state of grandeur in and out... the cathedral today is catholic and is open during the day for the parishioners as well as visitors... It holds daily services, concerts and different religious events....a must visit church whenever you are in Byblos... Thanks Nassib!【ツ】

Photo: F.G. Costas
Byblos, modern Jbail is located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, north of Beirut.

This Romanesque church is the cathedral church of Jbeil. The church is dedicated to Saint John Mark, the patron saint of the town, who is said to have founded the first Christian community of Byblos.

The church itself was built in 1115 AD by the Crusaders, originally as the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. The structure was extended and improved over subsequent centuries. It is a mixture of Arab and Western European designs, with remains of Byzantine mosaics from an earlier structure scattered around the area.

Byblos was declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1984.

 

Stamp:

The 125th Anniversary of the Islamic Welfare Organization Makassed in Saida

(Issued 02-07-2007)

SPAIN ~ Montesquieu Castle - Osona - Catalonia ~

... Nice medieval castle view built high among green hills and valleys stretching for miles and offers fabulous views from each window... this castle is the central element of the 546 acres park that bears its name... in the park around it are two walking routes... it is open to the public, and in the summer many cultural events are held here... on the main floor of the castle and on the top floor there are various multipurpose rooms and attics for meetings or seminars... Thanks a lot Josep&Assumpta! (✿◠‿◠) 

                                                                  Photo: Eugeni Ordeig

Montesquieu Castle first appeared in documents dating back to 1285, when it was part of a defensive triangle that included the medieval castles of Besor and Saderra. The transformation from the defensive complex to the Montesquieu castle took place in the 14thC when the regional governor moved here from Besora.

Over the next few centuries, the castle underwent several structural changes.  The Provincial Council of Barcelona acquired the castle in 1976.

 

Stamp:

EUROPA Stamps - Ancient Postal Routes 

(Issued 14-05-2020)

GERMANY ~ Harz National Park ~

... The forest wrapped in a thick blanket of snow... Frau Holle must have got out all her pillows and duvets here and shaking them to create this magical winter wonderland😉... this makes collecting National Parks so much fun... you can have plenty of cards of one but they all are so very different😍... with cute Frau Holle stamp nr2 and another great first day postmark👍... Thanks a lot Dustin!(✿ ♥‿♥) 

Photo: Marco Pazzi, Leipzig
The Harz is the northernmost German Mittelgebirge and the highest mountain range in Northern Germany.

This NP combine rolling mountains with a dense pine forest. It was established in its current form by the merging of the Upper Harz National Park and the Harz National Park in Lower Saxony in 2006 following the two National Parks uniting.

Today it is a protected area covering ± 24,700 ha. where numerous varieties of wildlife flourish and rare animals have been reintroduced.

 

Stamp:

Grimm's Fairy Tale - Frau Holle

 (Issued 04-02-2021)

GERMANY ~ Frau Holle Art Postcard ~

... Sweet and wonderful art postcard of Frau Holle/Mother Hulda💜... it is said that Frau Holle brings the first snowflakes of the year... as she shakes her pillow, a gentle snow comes, covers the Earth and put the world to sleep... a motif from the fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm... for me till now an unknown story... with even so cute matching stamp (from a set of 3) and great first day postmark👍... Thanks Dustin! (✿◠‿◠)

"Frau Holle" also known as "Mother Holle", "Mother Hulda" or "Old Mother Frost") is a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm in Children's and Household Tales in 1812.

Frau Holle has origins in Norse and German mythology, where she is revered as a goddess of the underworld, the land of the dead, and guardian of young maidens and spinning and weaving.

She is also acknowledged as an ancient sky-goddess who rules the weather, going back to Neolithic times.

Illustrated by Gabriela de Carvalho

© Raffael-Verlag

 

Stamp:

Grimm's Fairy Tale - Frau Holle 

(Issued 04-02-2021)

CANADA ~ Upper Jade Lakes - Mount Revelstoke National Park ~

... Once more a spectacular Canadian nature view💚... and great new National Park👍... known for its incredible contrasts... from lush rainforest and 1,000 year old trees to imposing mountain peaks...  famous for summer wildflower displays on the summit of Mount Revelstoke...  hikes to the park's high country lakes offer superb mountain hiking across rolling terrain and breathtaking scenic vistas... approximately 600,000 visitors enter Mount Revelstoke and nearby Glacier National Park each year... Thanks a lot Glenn!【ツ】Fingerds crossed you can go back cruising soon...😊

From backside postcard:

"Upper Jade Lakes, located in Mount Revelstoke NP, a natural area to be protected for all time.The Canadian Parks Service finds it increasingly difficult to protect the natural environment of these protected areas as human activities within and beyond the Park boundary increase."

Mount Revelstoke National Park is located in southeastern British Columbia, occupying the western slope of the Selkirk Mountains. The park is relatively small for a national park, covering 260 km2 and was founded in 1914.

It is home to several large mammals, notably black bears, grizzlies, woodland caribou and mountain goats. Other mammals include hoary marmots, pikas, Columbian ground squirrels, and several species of bats. Some 235 species of birds use the area in summer.  

 

Stamps:

The Lunar New Year Cycle

(Issued 15-01-2021)

CANADA ~ Lower Town (Basse Ville) - Quebec - UNESCO ~

... Lovely autumn view of Lower Town Quebec...a historic district located at the bottom of Cap Diamant... 400 years of incredible history and North America's oldest streets... charming architecture... winding cobblestone streets... plenty of little hidden alleyways, public art exhibits... a vibrant café and restaurant scene (after the pandemic😉)... a place made for walking and known as one of Canada’s most charismatic cities... Thanks a lot Andrene!(✿ ♥‿♥) the vaccination campaign in Belgium is "very" slowly getting underway... so fingers crossed it will bring back some "normality"... till then it will be another "stay home" year for me😔...

Photo: Yves Tessier
Old Quebec  is a historic neighbourhood of Quebec City founded by the French explorer Samuel Champlain in 1608. Champlain explored the St. Lawrence River and continued to the Great Lakes region. He governed New France (the Quebec province) until his death and considered the Father of this area.

Samuel de Champlain built a habitation where its remains can be found with Place Royale as its centre. It was restored with the goal of reconstructing the French flair from its origins.

Old Quebec is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.

 

Stamps:

 Queen Elizabeth II 

(Issued 14-01-2019)
 

The 100th Anniversary of the Group of Seven 

(Issued 07-05-2020)