GERMANY ~ Bamberg Cathedral - UNESCO ~

... Great view of the top tourist attraction in the city... one of Germany's most significant medieval churches... located on the Domplatz or Cathedral Square... it combines late Romanesque and early Gothic architectural styles and is renowned for its four towering spires built upon one of the city’s seven hills...  currently serves as the cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Bamberg, hosting masses and concerts... the interior’s frescoes and sculptures are also worth a visit... Bamberg is one of the prettiest towns in Bavaria that survived World War II without major damage... Thanks Dustin!(✿◠‿◠)

Bamberg is a town in Upper Franconia, (part of the German state of Bavaria) on the river Regnitz close to its confluence with the river Main.

Emperor Heinrich II. had the Cathedral constructed in Bamberg as early as 1002 and it was completed in 1012 after a building period of just ten years. However, this house of worship fell victim to fire, as did its successor. The third construction which contains stylistic elements of the late romanesque and early gothic periods has survived to the present day. The highlights include the tomb of the holy imperial couple Kunigunde and Heinrich II., created by Tilmann Riemenschneider, the "Bamberg Horseman" who is shrouded in mystery, the altar by Veit Stoß and the papal tomb of Clemens II.

The Old Town of Bamberg became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Stamp:

Whitney Houston, 1963-2012 

(Issued 06-08-2026)

AUSTRALIA ~ Blue Mountains National Park - UNESCO ~

... Stunning nature view of the Blue Mountains’ most spectacular landmark... rising out of the Mountains, the rock formation known as the Three Sisters is a picturesque natural phenomenon  that holds an important place in Aboriginal Dreamtime legends... created by millennia of wind and erosion this trio of stone spires has become a popular site for nature tourism...  located at Echo Point in Katoomba one of the most iconic and well-known viewpoints that offers sweeping panoramic views of the iconic Three Sisters rock formation and the sprawling Jamison Valley... the Blue Mountains National Park is the most visited National Park in NSW... Thanks a lot Helen!ヽ(•‿•)ノ

Photo: Ian Woolcock
Blue Mountains National Park is located in New South Wales with an area of 267,954 hectares and was established in 1959. The park is a high, rugged sandstone plateau dominated by a landscape of eucalyptus forests and carved by deep river gorges. The surface terrain is roughly 300 million years old, with underlying rock layers dating back 470 million years.  It supports hundreds of species of native animals, including koalas, kangaroos, and the rare Wollemi Pine. Aboriginal peoples, including the Gundungurra and Darug Nations, have lived in the region for over 22,000 years.

The Greater Blue Mountains Area was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

Stamp: 

Pre stamped postcard

THAILAND ~ Wat Mahathat temple - Nakhon Si Thammarat - UNESCO ~

... Nice view of the most sacred temple and pagoda in southern Thailand... a deeply spiritual and historic Buddhist pilgrimage site for Thai Buddhists...  renowned for its central chedi believed to house Buddha relics, the temple features a blend of Thai and Sri Lankan architectural styles... the 78-metre-high central chedi is also the spiritual heart... the complex includes a museum, where you can admire thousand of Buddha images as well as tools used for house work in the ancient times.... as one of southern Thailand's oldest and most revered temples, it attracts both pilgrims and tourists, highlighting its cultural and historical importance... Thanks SL!¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan (or Phra Mahathat monastery), located in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province in Thailand on a narrow ridge between the Pacific and Indian oceans, has served as a major regional Buddhist centre since its founding in the 8th century, where a Hindu shrine once stood (5th-8th centuries).

The temple’s full name of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan translates as “Great Noble Temple of the Great Relics Chedi,” and the chedi (or stupa) itself is known as Phra That Borommathat, a name used for several other chedis in Thailand.

It was officially inscribed as a world heritage site in 2026.
 

Stamp:

2X Vesak Day 

(10-05-2019)

3X King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun 

(28-07-2018)

 Thai Pavilion 

(Issued 14-08-2017)

CAMBODIA ~ Angkor Wat - UNESCO ~

... Beautiful panoramic view of Cambodia’s crown jewel... one of Southeast Asia’s most iconic archaeological treasures and the largest religious monument in the world...  Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different reigns of the Khmer Empire encompassing a network of 150 temples, moats, canals, reservoirs, villages, and basins.... Angkor Wat or the "City of Temples" is also famous for its exceptional carvings covering its walls and pillars, around 2,000 exquisite depictions of Apsaras (heavenly nymphs) and Devatas (Hindu deities)... it is still used today as an active place of Buddhist worship and a major spiritual center... locals honor the temple deities with vibrant ceremonies, weaving together prayers, rituals, traditional music, and dance, keeping its spirit alive across generations... Thanks Rod!【ツ】

Angkor Archaeological Park, stretching over some 400 km2 including forested area. It contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations.

It signifies an earthly representation of Mount Meru, the ancient Hindu Gods home and sacred five-peaked mountain of Hindu cosmology – symbolised by five conical spires. Unlike other Angkor temples, Angkor Wat wasn’t abandoned to the elements and continued as a significant religious centre. This, along with its vast moat keeping the encroaching jungle at bay, may explain why it has remained remarkably well preserved. 

 UNESCO inscribed Ta Prohm on the World Heritage List in 1992.
 

Stamp:

Machine label

GUYANA ~ Official Residence of the Prime Minister - Georgetown ~

... Nice postcard of the official residence of the Prime Minister of Guyana... a stately historic 19th-century white-painted timber Victorian building in Georgetown reflecting the colonial architectural traditions of the nation's governing elite... featuring British and Italianate influences with a lofty tower and local touches like Demerara windows and spacious ground-floor porches... the interior is generally restricted to official government use or special pre-arranged educational/historical tours, but the exterior is fully viewable from the street... Thanks a lot Diego for another lovely surprise!!(✿◠‿◠)

The official Residence of the Prime Minister is located on Main Street in Georgetown, the capital city of Guyana.

Constructed in the mid-1800s, it was owned by Booker Brothers Limited starting in 1911. These influential Booker brothers, whose sugar empire was so dominant that it earned the nickname "Bookers Guiana."

In 1962, it was sold to the British Government to serve as the home for the British High Commissioner. The Government of Guyana officially acquired the property in 1987 to serve as the Prime Minister's residence.

Stamps:

Definitives - Birds & Animals 

(26-02-2014)

Fauna - Golden Rocket Frog of Guyana 

(Issued 30-10-2016)

NEW ZEALAND ~ Enderby Island - Sub Antarctic Islands - UNESCO ~

... Great nature view of a coastal island shaped as a rare, vibrant botanical wonderland due to extreme maritime winds and rich peat soils... features open plains, coastal cliffs, and dense patches of rata forest... it is one of the most accessible and ecologically significant islands in the Subantarctic region... they are a haven for endemic plants and wildlife, providing a very unique opportunity to witness their beauty in an undisturbed setting... Enderby is home to rare seabirds,  the yellow-eyed penguin and the endemic Auckland Island teal and the world’s rarest sea lions... because it is a highly protected site you can only visit via organized expedition cruises... of the five islands, access for tourists is allowed at specific sites on Enderby Island, the main Auckland Island and Campbell Island... these Subantarctic Islands are some of the most remote and special places on the planet...Thanks Jodine! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

© Henry Elsom
Enderby Island is part of New Zealand's uninhabited Auckland Islands archipelago, south of mainland New Zealand. It is situated just off the northern tip of Auckland Island, the largest island in the archipelago. The island  is composed of eroding volcanic remains from eruptions that occurred between 25 and 10 million years ago.

Enderby Island is listed as part of the New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands, which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998
 

Stamps:

New Zealand Heritage - The People 

(Issued 17-05-1989)

Christmas

(Issued 16-09-1992)

Christmas

(Issued 26-09-1984)

Christmas 

(Issued 03-10-1979)

TUNESIA ~ Kerkouane - UNESCO ~

... View of the largest and one of the best preserved known purely Punic town in North Africa... located on a coastal cliff at Cape Bon... a hidden gem that offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty... only the foundations of the town are left representing the core of the ancient Carthaginian civilization... it was abandoned around the 3rd century BCE after having suffered total destruction during the First Punic War and was never rebuilt by the Romans... this has left an authentic look at the Punic town planning, domestic architecture, and daily life... the harbor, the street plan, residential areas, squares, temples and the remains of the large cemetery have been uncovered... Heel Erg Bedankt Veerle!ヽ(•‿•)ノ

Cap Bon is a thumb-shaped peninsula that juts northeastward from Tunis into the Mediterranean, separating the Gulf of Tunis from the Gulf of Hammamet. it is  about 100 kilometers long and roughly 40 kilometers wide.  It is a fertile region of farms, vineyards and citrus groves, and is home to some of the most popular beach resorts in Tunisia.

UNESCO declared the Punic town of Kerkouane and its necropolis a World Heritage Site in 1985. 

 

Stamp:

Tunisian Handicrafts

(Issued 14-05-2026)

GERMANY ~ Harz Tower - Harz National Park - Torfhaus ~

... Great view an imposing structure standing 65 metres tall... its masterful architecture rises above the hills of Torfhaus, which, at 812 metres, is the highest village in the Harz Mountains... this spiral tower – built from wood and steel with its perfect form was inspired by the shape of a rising spruce cone... visitors can climb the tower via steps or an elevator and enjoy the 360° view of the Brocken, the Harz Mountains and the national park from two panoramic observation decks at the top... and a glass floor platform extending out at a height of 45 meters... Thanks a lot Dustin!【ツ】 It must have been once more a really sad and terrifying view...😞 

"This decades-old forest has been reduced to a tree graveyard in just a couple of years. "Nowhere else in Central Europe can you experience the climate crisis like here in the Harz Mountains," said Roland Pietsch, head of the Harz National Park"

Unfortunately in the central Harz region, over 90% of spruce trees are dead or dying because of climate change and pests, unprecedented heat waves and prolonged droughts have stressed the trees, weakening their defenses. Bark Beetles thrive in the warmer, drier conditions, rapidly multiplying and attacking weakened spruce trees. Drought reduces the trees' ability to produce resin, which normally seals wounds and repels beetles.

  

Stamp:

Nidden Artists' Colony 

(Issued 06-07-2026)

GERMANY ~ Bird Hall - Natural History Museum - Bamberg ~

... Lovely view of the unique and famous Bird Hall... one of the most precious gems among historical ornithological collections in the world displayed in a beautiful hall constructed in the early Classical style... it provides a view of nature as it was seen by visitors to a natural history cabinet over 200 years ago without noteworthy modifications... more than thousand colorful bird specimens are presented here together with historical animal and plant specimens, fossils, minerals, wax fruits and even some of the famous historical fossil forgeries... the diversity of nature in the hall, framed by richly decorated display cases, invites visitors to marvel and discover... a real “museum within a museum”...Thanks Dustin!【ツ】

Located directly in Bamberg’s old town in a former Jesuit college that is more than three hundred years old, the Natural History Museum displays extraordinary biological and geological exhibits.The Natural History Museum’s permanent exhibitions and multimedia show are dedicated to a variety of predominantly regional natural history topics. Exceptionally well-preserved fossils from the museum’s own excavations also provide fascinating insights into a time when Franconia was still tropical – 154 million years ago.
 

Stamp:

For the Youth

(Issued 06-08-2026)

NEW ZEALAND ~ Tongariro Crossing - Tongariro National Park - UNESCO ~

... Beautiful view of the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing of approximately 19.4 kilometres... with Mount Ngauruhoe an active stratovolcano in the background known as "Mount Doom" from the film trilogy "The Lord of the Rings"... classed as one of the best day hikes in the world and most certainly the best if you want to see some of the most wonderful landscapes that New Zealand has to offer... from atop this magnificent walk hikers enjoy a 360 view of the iconic Emerald Lakes, Mount Ngauruhoe and Tongariro, the sacred Blue Lake, the Mars-like Rangipo desert and striking Red Crater, the highest point (1886m) on the track... with lovely special Johnsonville Post Shop native bird cancellation... an ideal pair with the round Kiwi stamp... Thanks a lot Helen!ヽ(•‿•)ノ

Photos: Nathalie Letullier
Tongariro National Park is situated in the middle of the North Island, in the Ruapehu Districts and covering almost 80.000 hectares. The park was established in 1887, making it the oldest national park in New Zealand. There are three active volcanoes in Tongariro National Park including Ruapehu, Tongariro, and Ngauruhoe. The summits of these volcanoes are considered sacred.

UNESCO designated Tongariro National Park as a mixed cultural and natural World Heritage Site in 1990.

 

Stamp:

Birds - Kiwi

(Issued 03-09-2025)

USA ~ Olympic National Park - Washington - UNESCO ~

... Great nature view of one of the most scenic, easily accessible mountainous area in Olympic National Park... located at an elevation of 1,598 meters... the view from Hurricane Ridge is awesome, with majestic, snow-capped peaks as far as the eye can see, dense forest, wildflower meadows, accessible mountain ridges and abundant wildlife... Hurricane Ridge is named for its intense gales and winds... the weather is unpredictable, and visitors should be prepared for snow at any time of year... with unique "Hurricane Ridge" National Park stamp cancellation👍... Thanks Nan! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Photo: J. Poehlman
Established in 1938, Olympic National Park covers nearly a million acres making it one of the largest national parks in the US. It includes three distinct ecosystems: subalpine forests, temperate rainforests, and rocky Pacific coastlines.

It’s home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, including the Olympic marmot, an endemic species found nowhere else on Earth, the Olympic black bear and the threatened northern spotted owl. The park also has a rich cultural history, with Native American and European settlements dating back thousands of years. 

Olympic National Park was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.
 

Stamps:

Flowers 

(Issued 18-07-2024)

Definitive Stamp - Apples 

(Issued 12-09-2016)

2X Winter Landscapes 

(Issued 19-09-2025)

AUSTRALIA ~ Murujuga Cultural Landscape - UNESCO ~

... Great view featuring one of the world’s oldest and densest known rock art collection... it's not an extremely large area, but it's packed with an estimated of one million petroglyphs etched across the region’s ancient cliff faces... what's truly amazing about Murujuga is the incredible variety of petroglyphs, in both age and subject matter: the oldest petroglyphs here have been dated at around 40,000 years old, while some are as recent as the 19th century... especially the depictions of human figures; they continue to be part of the traditions and beliefs of the Ngurra-ra Ngarl... also the sheer number of animal petroglyphs provide a fascinating showcase of how the local fauna has changed over the millennia... the property holds profound cultural and spiritual significance... Thanks Sifang!【ツ】

The cultural landscape is centred on Murujuga National Park, part of the Burrup Peninsula in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia. It's located on the traditional lands of the Ngarda-Ngarli people. Murujuga was declared a National Park in 2013, covering an area of 48.51 km2. 

The park is privately owned by the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and jointly managed with WA’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions – Parks and Wildlife Service who work together to preserve the site’s cultural and environmental significance.

The Murujuga Cultural Landscape was inscribed on the WHS UNESCO list in 2025

Photo: Neil McCabe

  

Stamps:

3X Opals

(Issued 24-06-2025)

POLAND ~ Gdynia - UNESCO ~

... Nice aerial view of a city transformed from a small fishing village into Poland’s major Baltic seaport during the interwar period between 1920 and 1939... known as one of the world's best-preserved, large-scale examples of an early 20th-century planned port city and interwar modernist urban planning... the Modernist City Centre covers approximately 88 hectares and is made up of nearly 450 buildings... it has clean geometric forms, streamlined façades, rounded corners inspired by ocean liners, and functional designs... Thanks Marcel!ヽ(•‿•)ノ

Photo: Wojciech Nieznalski
In 2026, the Polish city of Gdynia celebrates the 100th anniversary of receiving its city rights. Throughout the year, the Baltic port city marks this milestone with an extensive program of cultural, artistic and sporting events that reflect both its rich history and its forward-looking spirit.

The Gdynia Modernist City Centre was officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2026.

Stamp: 

EUROPE  

(Issued 27-04-2026)

MEXICO ~ Cathedral Basilica of Our lady - San Juan de los Lagos ~

... Beautiful views of an important catholic church pilgrimage and the most iconic landmark in the city located in Jalisco State in western Mexico... inside is the image of a small revered statue of the Virgin Mary to whom miracles are attributed since 1632... as a result thousands began to come to the Chapel seeking healings for themselves or others... a deeply moving spiritual destination and one of the country's most-visited pilgrimage sites... the number of visitors annually is estimated as being between seven and nine million... Thanks a lot Alonso!【ツ】

The cathedral was built primarily from pink sandstone in the Mexican Baroque style, construction of the current building took place between 1732 and 1769, with the bell tower spires completed later in 1790. Inside, the church has a Latin cross shape. Its ceilings have Gothic moldings, which are decorative patterns. In 1972, Pope Paul VI officially made it a cathedral.

The special statue of the Virgin of San Juan de los Lagos is placed under a canopy. This canopy is a beautiful, round structure supported by columns. The statue itself is inside a case made of metal and glass. A silver dome covers this case. At the very top of the dome, there is a figure of the Holy Spirit. 

 

Stamps:

80th anniversary of the College of Civil Engineers of Mexico

(Issued 10-02-2026)

Carmen Serdán Alatriste

(Issued 02-12-2025)

SLOVAKIA ~ Banská Štiavnica - UNESCO ~

... Lovely view of a massive 18th-century Baroque plague memorial column in the heart of the old town... the square and its central memorial carry deep historical significance... initially erected following a devastating plague epidemic that swept through the crowded mining town between 1710 and 1711... the column with an unusual trapezoidal form rises several meters high and features a vertical spiritual narrative... at the base sit six saint protectors from disease and patrons of miners... higher up stands the Virgin Mary, while the summit is crowned by a gilded sculpture of the Holy Trinity... Thanks Jana!(✿◠‿◠)

Banská Štiavnica  is a town in central Slovakia in the middle of an immense caldera created by the collapse of an ancient volcano known as the Štiavnica Mountains.

It was a wealthy mining town and the main producer of silver and gold in the Kingdom of Hungary. 

The Habsburg rulers established the Mining Academy 1735, the first technical university in the world. The town was also a leading center of innovation in the mining industry. In 1627, gunpowder was used there in a mine for one of the first time in the world.

The town and its surroundings became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
 

Stamps:

The Gothic Chapel Spišský Štvrtok

(30-05-2025)

Painting from hotel Thermia Palace in Piešťany by Alfons Mucha, 1860-1939 

(Issued 25-0-11-2015)

HUNGARY ~ Festetics Castle - Keszthely - Unesco Tentative List ~

... Lovely autumn view of one of the largest castles of the country the "Hungarian Versailles" castle that was the home of one of Hungary's most important count and then ducal families, the Festetics family, for 200 years... famous for its grand 101-room Baroque Revival architecture, the rare 80,000-volume Helikon Library, and English-style gardens on the shores of Lake Balaton... unlike most Hungarian castles, the castle building, its interior design and furnishings remained partly intact during World War II... the castle park, which is a nature reserve, has been restored to its original appearance... today it operates as a museum and is one of the most visited museums in Hungary... there are the most diverse events: conferences, concerts, literary readings, balls, receptions and many others... Thanks Bori!【ツ】  

The land came into the possession of the Festetics family in 1739 and the construction of the Baroque castle began in 1745. After several renovations, it acquired its present form between 1883 and 1887, during the reign of Festetics II in neo-baroque and neo-rococo style based on the designs of Victor Rumpelmayer. The building is the most intact preserved Hungarian castle in terms of both its interior and furnishings. The castle park was designed by the English garden designer Henry Ernest Milner in the 1880s, with a renovated pond, the Lion's Well and fountains, and the Princess's Chamber Garden

Festetics Castle is included on Hungary's UNESCO Tentative List as part of the broader Balaton Uplands Cultural Landscape nomination

Stamps:

2X Christmas 

(Issued 31-10-2003)

One with Nature 

(Issued 25-09-2021)

Definitives - Postal History 

(Issued 09-05-2019)

UGANDA ~ Lake Bunyonyi ~

... Great aerial view of a scenic, deep crater lake... Lake Bunyonyi is framed by lush, green-terraced hills, but it’s the 29 islands of various shapes and sizes scattered across the water that make it most magical... activities around the lake are focused on boat trips, hiking,  canoeing in a log canoe, and swimming... known for its clean water... it’s one of the few places in Uganda safe for swimming, being too deep and too cold for hippos and crocodiles and free of bilharzia disease... over 200 species of birds can be spotted along the shores and trees... there’s plenty of choice when it comes to unique and, above all, eco-friendly accommodation  making it popular amongst eco-tourists... Thanks Hanko!(✿◠‿◠)

Lake Bunyonyi "Place of many little birds" is in south-western Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale close to the border with Rwanda. It's located at 1,962m  above sea level and is about 25 km long and 7 km wide.

Created roughly 10,000 to 18,000 years ago when a volcanic eruption or lava flow dammed a local river valley.  Local tourism lore claims it is the second-deepest lake in Africa at 900 meters, but scientific measurements record a more modest depth of around 40 meters.

Stamp:

International Day of Family Remittances 

(Issued 29-06-2023)

CROATIA ~ Trogir - UNESCO ~

... Beautiful aerial view of  town often called the "Little Venice" on the Croatian coast... set on a small island connected by bridges to the mainland and the island of Čiovo... this medieval town features a smattering of Venetian Renaissance and Romanesque buildings inside its 15th-century walls as well as a picturesque, buzzy promenade overlooking a yacht-filled Adriatic Sea...it  is one of the best-preserved Romanesque-Gothic towns in Central Europe... a walk through  its narrow, polished limestone streets in the historic centre is like a journey through time... Thanks Karmen!【ツ】 

© Velika cesta-Photo: A. Carli, N. Marcutti
Trogir was founded by Greek colonists in the 3rd century BC as Tragurion (‘tragos’ is Greek for ‘male goat’) and boasts 2,300 years of continuous urban tradition in its narrow, maze-like streets. Over the last two millennia, it has been ruled and populated by the Greeks, Romans, the Byzantines, Venetians, the Hapsburg Empire, the French, the Yugoslavs and finally today, the modern-day Croatians.

Since 1997, the historic centre of Trogir has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
 

Stamp:

Natural Wonders of Croatia 

(Issued 28-01-2020)

MONACO ~ Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace ~

... Wonderful souvenir postcard postcard issued by the Principality of Monaco to commemorate the historic royal wedding of Prince Rainier III and American Hollywood actress Grace Kelly on April 19, 1956, officially becoming Her Serene Highness Princess Grace of Monaco... with on top two of the famous stamps issued for the official wedding... this wedding at Saint Nicholas Cathedral was dubbed the "Wedding of the Century," blending Hollywood glamour with European royalty and drawing over 30 million live television viewers worldwide...  this historic event permanently transformed the global profile and tourism industry of the tiny principality... with great commemorative pictorial postmark of the Concerts at the Prince's Palace performed by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra...Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Raffaella! ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ)

Monaco is a tiny country in Europe and the second smallest independent country in the world, a city-state and semi-enclave as it lies within the borders of another country. It is bordered by France to the West, North and East but to the ocean in the South. Therefore Monaco is only a semi enclave with only has one city: Monaco City.

The small country is a principality, which means it is led by a monarch. Prince Albert II of the House of Grimaldi is the sovereign and head of state since 2005. The family of the House of Grimaldi rules the country since 1297. 

Stamps:

Prince Albert II 

(Issued 02-01-2015)

Christmas 

(Issued 03-10-2005)

COMOROS ~ Blue Linckia Star - Moheli national park - UNESCO Tentative ~

... Beautiful underwater scene with coral reef and exotic fishes... the stunning Blue Linckia is a vibrant sea star known for its bright blue color and smooth, elegant shape... it lives in the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, particularly in the protected reefs of the Mohéli Marine Park... it slowly moves across the reef while feeding on algae and organic material... this species can regenerate lost arms... it may even be able to produce more individuals from them🤯... their body size is up to 40cm... this sea star is often seen dried and sold for the sea shell collecting trade, but is very common and not currently threatened... Thanks a lot Amelia!(✿◠‿◠) 

Photo © Robin Delsemme
Established in 2001, the Mohéli Marine Park is the first and oldest protected natural area in the Comoros. It covers roughly 644 km² on and around Mohéli, the smallest island in the archipelago. It was redesignated a national park in 2010. In 2015 the park was expanded to include about three-quarters of Mohéli's terrestrial area.

This is the first nesting site in the archipelago for the green turtle, an important breeding area for humpback whales, dolphins and a refuge for the conservation of dugongs. Home to endemic terrestrial species like the Livingstone's fruit bat.

The Mohéli Marine Park is recognized internationally through the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere  Programme as the Mwali Biosphere Reserve, and is also featured on UNESCO's World Heritage tentative list. 

Stamp:

Orchids 

(Issued 09-10-2003)

FRANCE ~ Abbey of Saint-Martin-du-Canigou ~

... Views of one of France's most magnificent abbeys... perched atop a rocky outcrop, nestled in lush greenery halfway up the sacred Mount Canigou... this Romanesque monastery dates from the 11thC... it has been added to, modified, abandoned, and restored over the centuries... the climb from the nearby village Casteil to the Abbey must be done on foot via a steep paved mountain path, taking about 35 to 45 minutes... for people unable to walk, a jeep service is available... the view from above the Abbey is fantastic with the Cady River valley spreading out below, deep gorges and the towering peaks of the Canigou massif... it has been a place of worship and meditation for centuries... religious life continues to this day and one is asked to respect the silence and enjoy the beauty in peace... Thanks Josep&Assumpta!ヽ(•‿•)ノ

The abbey Abbey of Saint-Martin-du-Canigou is located at 1,094 meters elevation in the French Pyrenees of Northern Catalonia in present-day southern France near the Spanish border.

The Abbey is a sacred symbol for the Catalan nation. Built in 1009 by Count Guifred II of Cerdagne, it sits high on Mount Canigó—the spiritual peak and ultimate natural emblem of Catalan identity. This mountain monastery represents the roots, faith, and survival of early Catalan culture in the Pyrenees. 

It is currently inhabited by the Community of the Beatitudes, who provide tours, activities, and maintenance.

 

Photo: Bruno VAYSSIERE

Stamps:

Marianne

(12-11-2023)

Figures of Resistance 

(10-11-2025)

MAURITANIA ~ Chinguetti Mosque - UNESCO ~

... Beautiful view of the historic Mosque in the ancient oasis town of Chinguetti... situated in the Adrar region in northern Mauritania, on the edge of the Sahara... this ancient city is considered as one of Islam's seven holy cities... built in the thirteenth or fourteenth century, the mosque is a dry-stone construction with a distinctive square minaret, typical of the historic ksar (fortified village) capped with five ostrich egg finials... its square minaret is widely claimed to be the second-oldest continuously used minaret in the Muslim world, and the building serves as the cultural heart of an ancient trading hub... unfortunately threatened heavily by encroaching desertification, expanding sand dunes, and severe climate shifts in the Adrar region... Thanks a lot Amelia! ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ)

© Vincent Bisson
Founded in the 8th Century as a caravan stop for pilgrims en route to Mecca, this red-stone desert oasis eventually blossomed into one of the biggest centres of science, religion and mathematics in West Africa. As pilgrims and scholars came and went, many left religious texts, scientific studies and historical manuscripts. In fact, so many of these historical documents accumulated over the years that during Chinguetti’s peak between the 13th and 17th Centuries, this thriving city boasted 30 libraries.

The mosque is located within the Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata, a 54.7 ha UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed in 1996.

 

Stamp:

Nouakchott, Capital of Islamic Culture

(Issued 28-11-2024)

BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA ~ The Drina Bridge - Visegrad - UNESCO ~

... Great view of an legendary and imposing bridge that withstood the test of time and the central feature of Visegrad... dating from the 16th century, it has got 11 elegant stone arches, which with the massive, also stone piers, compose the support the lenght of 179 metres and width of 6 metres... designed and built by Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and one of the most important and significant monuments of Ottoman empire... it took him six years to finish this work of art... the bridge survived many wars and floods.... the Mehmed Pasha Sokolović Bridge is also widely known because of the 1945 book "The Bridge on the Drina", by Nobel Prize–winning Yugoslav writer Ivo Andrić... Thanks Voj Che!【ツ】

Photo: Andrić B.
Višegrad sits at the meeting point of the Drina and Rzav rivers in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Drina is a 346 km long river, which forms a large portion of the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.

The Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge received UNESCO World Heritage Listing in 2007.

 

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Dogs

(27-10-2022)

SURINAME ~ Paramaribo - UNESCO ~

... Lovely views of the unique historic inner city featuring hundreds of 17th- and 19th-century colonial wooden houses... the majority of the buildings in the historic city centre were built in a typical Surinamese architectural style with many Dutch influences... the architecture incorporates Dutch steep roofs alongside large verandas and jalousie shutters to manage the tropical heat... the most important building material was primarily native tropical hardwoods, which was abundantly available...  due to the predominantly wooden buildings from the colonial period, the city centre is known as "The Wooden City"... a large number of the still existing wooden buildings have a monument status... Thanks a lot Amelia!ヽ(•‿•)ノ

Paramaribo is the capital and largest city of Suriname, located on banks of the Suriname River in the Paramaribo District. The area, a trading post started by the Dutch, was taken by the English in 1630, and in 1650 the city became the capital of the new English colony. The area changed hands often between the English and Dutch but it was in Dutch hands again in 1667 and under Dutch rule from 1815 until the independence of Suriname in 1975.

The Historic Inner City of Paramaribo became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.
 

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2X Airmail - Birds

(Issued 27-04-1977)

BELGIUM ~ Le Fort de Loncin - Liège - UNESCO ~

... View of a great historical fort and memorial of WWI... the symbol of the Battle of Liège when facing the German troops in 1914... a direct hit from a heavy German shell penetrated the fort's unreinforced concrete roof and detonated the primary ammunition magazine, which held 12 tons of explosives... this apocalyptic explosion instantly killed roughly 350 of the 550 men in the garrison... most bodies were completely crushed or buried under massive blocks of collapsed concrete and earth... this event marked the debut of the "Big Bertha"-howitzer in combat... relatively few of the dead were recovered; the site is now a military cemetery... the fort was never reused but despite it got blown up it is very well preserved... there is a small museum with lot of artifacts recovered from the fort... Heel Erg Bedankt Veerle! (✿◠‿◠)

The Fort de Loncin is one of twelve forts built around Liège, in the late 19th century. Fort de Loncin was constructed between 1881 and 1884. Contrasting with the French forts built in the same era this fort was built exclusively of unreinforced concrete, a new material, rather than masonry.

Gerard Mathieu Joseph Georges, count Leman born in 1851 was a Belgian general. During World War I he was the commander of the forts surrounding the Belgian city of Liège. The German Forces had to use heavy artillery to break through the defences and capture Leman as a prisoner of War. He was released at the end of the war and died a hero, in 1920.

In 2023, UNESCO designated 139 Funerary and memory sites of the First World War (Western Front) as a World Heritage Site.
 

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Fashion - This is Belgium 

(Issued 15-04-2010)