ITALY ~ Sanctuary of Oropa - UNESCO ~

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

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

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

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

Stamp:

Italian Artistic and Cultural Heritage 

Sanctuary of Oropa 

(Issued 29-08-2021)

SLOVENIA ~ The Logar Valley ~

... Great nature views of one of the most stunning Alpine glacial valleys... nestled in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Slovenia’s Logar Valley is one of Europe’s most beautiful hidden gems...  just one narrow road weaves through the middle of the valley, slicing through pretty green meadows dotted with stone cottages and rustic farmhouses... all around, imposing peaks tower 2,000m above you, crisscrossed with hiking trails, mountain huts, and stunning vistas... probably the quietest, most picturesque and most peaceful place to see in Slovenia.. Thanks a lot Karmen! ❀◕ ‿ ◕❀

Foto:© T. Jeseničnik- F. Horvat- P. Janežič 
The Logar Valley is a typical U-shaped glacial valley located in the far north of Slovenia close to the border with Austria. The valley is about 7km long and between 200 and 500m wide.The Kamnik-Savinja mountains are: Ojstrica, Planjava, Brana, Turska gora, and the Rinkas.

The valley name is derived from the Logar Farm, which is in the glacial valley, and in 1987, the major part covering 25 km2. received the status as protected landscape park.

Stamp:

2021 2020 Japan Summer Olympic Games Gold Medal Winners 

(Issued 15-10-2021)

THAILAND ~ Hua Hin ~

...  View of the swimming pool in front of  the Anantara Hua Hin Resort (formerly the Royal Garden Village hotel)... Hua Hin is the oldest seaside resort of Thailand and a royal summer resort... by the mid-1920s Hua Hin was a full-fledged resort town for the Bangkok-based nobility... even Kings Rama VI and VII built summer palaces here...  it’s these close links with Thai royalty that ensures Hua Hin won’t become overdeveloped or lose its small-town vibe... but it is also loved with many Thais from Bangkok who want to go on a holiday or weekend getaway... Thanks Jobbo!! My Best Wishes for 2022! (✿◠‿◠)

Hua Hin town was originally named Samore Riang by a small group of settlers who moved there from the north, in around 1834, to escape a severe drought.The name was subsequently changed to Baan Laem Hin before it was given its present name in around 1911.

Since the 1980s, there have been major hotel and residential developments in Hua Hin and there is still a royal residence north of the town known as Phra Ratchawang Klai Kangwon (the Far from Worries Palace).

 Stamp:

King Bhumibol 

(Issued 09-01-1990)

GERMANY ~ Bomann Museum - Celle ~

... A blogpost with two related postcards... a nice museum view and one of the objects shown there... an old vending machine that sells "postcards"🙂.... it is one of the largest cultural history museums and for more than 100 years, it has presented its folklore collections of eastern Lower Saxony... the modern, entertaining and attractively designed permanent exhibitions show the cultural history of the city and region in seven tours... an interesting mix of ideas and themes... located right in the city center... both with great mail stamps💛✉️ and special postmarks👍... Thanks a lot Dustin!ヽ(ヅ)ノ 

The Bomann Museum was founded in 1892 as the "Patriotic Museum" on the occasion of the city’s 600th anniversary and moved into a building of its own in 1907. It was named in 1923 after its first director Wilhelm Bomann.

 

Stamps:

Carrier Pigeon - World of Letters

(Issued 2022)

Sea letter  - World of Letters

(Issued 2022)

View of an old vending machine that sells chocolate, bonbons and postcards!! Dating from 1910 and made from sheet iron, enamel glass and mirror glass.

In 1883, Percival Everett was the first man to introduce a modernized vending machine, which dispensed postcards. His vending machine became very popular and was soon after installed at railway stations and post offices.

Photo: U. Loeper

Stamp:

Mail Sailor - World of Letters

(Issued 2022)

FRANCE ~ Albi - UNESCO ~

... Nice views of two main tourist spots of the city... the medieval Episcopal Palace, which reflects a rare image of power, and the imposing Gothic Sainte Cécile Cathedral... the Cathedral is visible from almost every part of town... they are both amongst the largest brick constructions in the world... the cathedral has walls which are up to 6 m thick... the Berbie Palace is now a museum where the works of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, a native of Albi, are displayed... and this charming city has beautiful views over the River Tarn... more than a million visitors discover the city each year...  Thanks Nadège!❁◕ ‿ ◕❁

Albi is located in southern France, in the centre of the Tarn department. The Tarn flows through the city and splits it in two; the historical city is on the left side of the river. Several small rivers, tributaries of the Tarn, flows also through the city. Since 1790, it is the capital city of the Tarn department.

The Episcopal City of Albi has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010. 

Stamp:

The 60th Anniversary of CNES 

(issued 11-10-2021)

GERMANY ~ Wilhelm Busch Museum - Hanover ~

... Nice self portrait of Wilhelm Busch in traditional Dutch costume 1875, oil on wood... the German Museum for Caricature and Art of Drawing is known for a special collection on Wilhelm Busch (the creator Max and Moritz) ...  for those with an interest in children's literature illustration, political cartoons, caricature, and drawing in general this little museum is worth a visit... with stamp "The three ???" and special postmark👍...  stamp shows images relating to the first two issues of a popular juvenile detective book series... Aiga Rasch and her iconic covers are the theme of an exhibition at the Museum Wilhelm Busch... Thanks Dustin!【ツ】

Heinrich Christian Wilhelm Busch (1832 -1908) was a German humorist, poet, illustrator, and painter. He published wildly innovative illustrated tales that remain influential to this day.

The museum was founded in the centre of Hanover, in 1937, by the Wilhelm Busch Society. It was the first museum devoted to the Lower Saxon artist Busch and is located in the Georgengarten in a palace known as the Georgenpalais, dating from around 1780.

Stamp:

Heroes of Childhood

(Issued 02-12-2021)

GERMANY ~ Lower Saxony State Museum - Hannover ~

... Nice painting called "Evening" 1821, oil on canvas by Caspar David Friedrich... with Morning, Midday and Afternoon, it forms a series on different times of day... these four-piece "The Times of Day" are exhibited in the Lower Saxony State Museum and is the only complete such series by Friedrich in a single museum... with once more the cute stamp💜 Bibi and Tina ride Sabrina🐴 and Amadeus🐎... from the "Heroes of childhood" issues... and wonderful special postmark👍...Thanks Dustin!! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Caspar David Friedrich (1774 - 1840) was a landscape painter of the 19thC German Romantic movement, of which he is now considered the most important painter.

The Lower Saxony State Museum is located opposite the New City Hall and was opened in 1902, designed by Hubert Stier in a Neo-Renaissance style. It was renamed the State Museum in 1933, and finally the Lower Saxony State Museum of Hanover in 1950.

More information about the Lower Saxony State Museum: HERE

Stamp: 

Heroes of Childhood

(Issued 02-12-2021)

CANADA ~ Season's Greetings ~

... A bit late but still glad to receive it... a wonderful glittery Christmas tree🎄 (doesn't show here very well) from dear postcard friend Andrene... I so hoped to hear from you😊as every year... because with this pandemic you never know... and thanks so much for also this year sharing 2021 in a lovely family news letter😍... it must be a lot of work to do, and I'm honored to be included... wishing  happiness, joy, love and good health to you and your family!!💖💝💖 

              "Wishing you all the good things

            this happy season brings."

 Stamp:

From far and Wide permanent

(Issued 2020)

SRI LANKA ~ Botanical Gardens Hakgala ~

... Nice view of the Cactus house🌵 that exhibit over 800 species including Agaves, Opuntia, Kalachoe, Cereus, Rebutia, Rhipsalis...  Hakgala Botanical Garden is one of the five botanical gardens in Sri Lanka... the garden is at an altitude of around 1700 metres, and features a lot of temperate plants and trees... a network of small creeks, complete with wooden bridges, is seen throughout the garden, creating a magical atmosphere... Thanks a lot Ravindra!【ツ】So nice to hear from you😊...  Wishing you also a happy and healthy 2022!🎇🤩🎆.

Photo: A. Felix J. Perera
Hakgala Botanical Gardens is located within the Hakgala Strict Natural Reserve.

The Gardens (27ha) were established in 1860 as an experimental Cinchona plantation from which the anti-malarial drug quinine is derived. Subsequently the gardens were used for experiments in acclimatizing temperate-zone plants to life in tropics.

Stamps:

Endemic Birds of Sri Lanka 

(Issued 09-10-2021)

The 50th Anniversary of the APPU - Asian-Pacific Postal Union 

(Issued 01-04-2012)

Paintings - Vesak 

(Issued 09-05-2008)

GERMANY ~ Celle ~

... Nice aerial view of the town center with the St Marien church and  Celle castle...  a charming, small place surrounded by history, nature, art and culture... a town with a history going back more than 700 years... from the 14thC until 1705 it served as the permanent residence of the dukes of Brunswick and Lüneburg...  with over 450 half-timbered houses in the old city center makes it the most compact and largest ensemble of half-timbered houses in the world... with cute new stamp💜 Bibi and Tina ride Sabrina🐴 and Amadeus🐎...  from the "Heroes of childhood" issues... and wonderful special postmark👍... Thanks a lot Dustin!【ツ】 

Celle is a town and capital of the district of Celle, in Lower Saxony. The town is situated on the banks of the river Aller, a tributary of the Weser.

 

Stamp:

Heroes of Childhood

(Issued 02-12-2021)

ESWATINI ( SWAZILAND) ~ The Reed Dance Ceremony ~

 .. No better way to start a new blog year than with a fantastic new African country👍😀... it is one of Africa's smallest countries, slightly larger than half the size of Belgium... the Reed Dance is one of the most spectacular and well-known of Swaziland's cultural traditions... every year, thousands of young women dance bare-breasted before the royal family at the end of a week-long ritual... the girls wear short beaded skirts, adorned in colourful anklets, necklaces and sashes... the Reed Dance is a visual celebration of the girl’s camaraderie, solidarity and chastity... the most important aim of this ceremony is to encourage the girls to delay any sexual activities until marriage... thus limiting the possibility of HIV and helping in the fight against the AIDS epidemic... Big Thanks Isabelle!! (✿ ♥‿♥) 

Swaziland is a small landlocked kingdom in southern Africa, bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19thC, independence was granted 1968.

Ruled by King Mswati III since 1986, it is the only remaining monarchy in Africa. The new name Eswatini means “land of the Swazis” was made into effect in 2019, by the King. 

 

Stamps:

Butterflies Defenitives

(Issued 17-03-1987)

Road Safety

(Issued 25-01-2005)

GELUKKIG NIEUWJAAR!! HAPPY 2022!!

"Wishing you all health, happiness, and prosperity in the New Year"

                                                                                                                    -Gerda❤️

FRANCE ~ Season's Greetings - Strasbourg ~

... Last post from 2021👋... Strasbourg is historically known as the town which held the very first Christmas Market in 1570, making it the oldest market in Europe and is named the “Capital of Christmas"... the 2021 edition "light up the stars" is a real invitation to dream, to be amazed and to live a unique experience. together❤️💖... let's take advantage of this time when we turn towards each other to perpetuate traditions and share a magical, authentic and united Christmas... with nice special postmark from the "Paris Palais Bourbon" postoffice... Thanks a lot Gilles!(✿◠‿◠) hope to see you all here again next year...😊😍

 

Stamp:

Vergeoise waffles

A self printed stamp with Mon Timbre en Ligne de La Poste.

GERMANY ~ Season's Greetings - Celle Castle ~

... Great castle view with a gleaming white facade... a four-winged building showcasing distinctive Renaissance and Baroque styles located on a slight hill in the middle of the Palace park... Celle Castle with its Residenz museum is one of the most beautiful castles of the Royal House of Hanover in Germany... this is also a bit special postcard😊... there are seven Christmas post offices in Germany ... thanks to postcard friend Dustin I got now one of each... he started sending them in 2017 and with this lovely angel "Himmelpfort"💖 postmark I've got them➞➞ ALL ⬅⬅! Big thanks Dustin!!(✿◠‿◠)

Celle Castle was built around 980 as a fortified tower with the attributes of a water castle. Otto the Strict continued developing the building in 1292. Remnants of this era are the cellar vault and the lower floors of the watch tower.The current Celle Castle has its first documented mentioning as “Castrum Celle” in 1315.(

These are the seven German Christmas post offices:

21709 Himmelpforten - 51777 Engelskirchen - 97267 Himmelstadt -16798 Himmelpfort - Himmelsthür, 31137 Hildesheim - 49681 Nikolausdorf  and 66351 St. Nikolaus.

 

Stamp: 

Merry Christmas 

(Issued 02-11-2021)

GERMANY ~ Seasons's Greetings ~

... Sweet, wonderful postcard💚...  forest animals posting letters✉️ and bringing gifts🎁 to the postoffice... with great special "Himmelpfort"💖 postmark... the community of Himmelpforten is Christkinddorf... countless children suspect that the address "Himmelpforten" is Santa's residence and have been sending him their wish lists here for more than 50 years... but it's not just Santa Claus who lives there... Santa Claus is supported by the Christ Child with his angels... Thanks a lot Dustin💖... Best Wishes for a very happy and healthy 2022!!  🥂🎇🤩🌃🎆... And good luck with the new start!

 

Stamp:

Merry Christmas 

(Issued 02-11-2021) 

SPAIN ~ Season's Greetings ~

... On Friday I got a few more lovely "Season's Greetings" postcards... must say, Belgian Post is really slow these days😞... first one shows a wonderful vintage gnomes or elves postcard by the well known Swedish postcard artist Erik Forsman who lived from 1916 to 1976... Thanks a lot dear Josep&Assumpta... Best Wishes for a very happy and healthy 2022! 🥂🎇🤩🌃🎆... loved the poem too!💖💝💖

Stamp:

Gabriela Mistral

(Issued 09-09-2021)

🎄Vrolijk Kerstmis🎄 to all my postcard friends! 💖💖💖

 

🎄Vrolijk Kerstmis🎄 to all my postcard friends! 💖💖💖

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

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

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

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

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

 Stamp:

Parks and Botanical Gardens

(Issued 12-08-2015)

GERMANY ~ Benin Bronze ~

... Two related interesting artefacts with a fascinating history in one post... the colonial occupation of the Kingdom of Benin (now Edo Nigeria) by British troops in February 1897 led to a worldwide dispersal of an estimated 3000 to 5000 objects plundered from the Royal Palace and other ceremonial sites... many of them were sold to Western Museums... the biggest collections are in Londen, Berlin, Oxford, Vienna, Hamburg, Dresden but also in smaller museums... this year however Germany and Nigeria signed a pre-accord on restitution of Benin bronzes... a contract transferring ownership to Nigeria is planned for spring 2022... both with great special First Day postmarks👍...Thanks a lot Dustin!【ツ】

Produced over the course of roughly 500 years, the Benin bronzes provide an aesthetically rich record of life in the thriving Benin kingdom, located in the tropical forests of what is now south-central Nigeria. They show the evolution of the empire’s second dynasty, which is believed to have begun in the 13th century and continues to this day.

King with dignitaries.

Museum am Rothenbaum. Kulturen und Künste der Welt, Hamburg (MARKK).

Stamp:

The 100th Anniversary of the German Dance Sports Association 

(Issued 02-11-2021)

Memorial head of a King.

Guinea Coast, Nigeria, Benin Kingdom, possibly mid 16th or early 17thC. 

Roemer and Pelizaeus Museum, Hildesheim.

 Stamp:

The 50th Anniversary of Police 110

(issued 02- 11-2021)

NETHERLANDS ~ Christmas Greetings ~

... A wonderful glittery retro style Christmas greetings postcard🎅🤶🎄 ... Ook voor jou hele Fijne Kerstdagen en een heel Gelukkig 2022 gewenst Karin!🌃🥂🎇

Stamps:

Christmas scenes

(Issued 19-11-2013)

Christmas 

(Issued 15-11-2021)

BELGIUM ~ Christmas Greetings ~

... A lovely season's greetings card🎅🤶🎁 in these "dark days before Christmas" that made me smile😊...  with sweet special first day cancellation...Vrolijk Kerstmis🎄 en een Gezond en Gelukkig Nieuw Jaar✨Johan!! 💖💖💖

Stamp:

Christmas - Timeless Decoration 

(Issued 25-10-2021)

FRANCE ~ Santa Claus Letter - Libourne ~

.. 🎅H0H 0H0🎅... a Santa Letter... each year, Santa Claus receives 1.2 million letters and more than 100,000 emails... a total of 120 countries write to Santa Claus in Libourne... the origins date back to the 1950s, when Odette Ménager and Magdeleine Homo, two postal workers, disobeyed their hierarchy who asked them to destroy the letters... they then opened these envelopes and answered the children... since 1962, each letter has received a response...Thanks Santa Claus!💖💖💖

"On 23 December at 19.00 Santa Claus starts his long journey to deliver gifts to children (and I hope to adults too) around the world on the day before Christmas Eve. We all wish him a safe journey and send our Christmas greetings all over the world. "

Sender: Santa Claus I Naughty of Nice Street, Lapland, PL 8216

CANADA ~ Christmas Greetings ~

... With Christmas🎅 and New Year🎇 just around the corner it's time to start posting a beautiful  received "Season's Greeting card"... dear Glenn I'm wishing you and your family a warm, glowing Christmas🎅🎇 and a very happy and healthy 2022🎆 ... 💖💝💖

"Wishing you a holiday season

filled with joy, wonder and peace."

Unicef

Doves commonly serve as universal symbols of peace!

Stamp:

Christmas

(Issued 01-11-2021)

GERMANY ~ St. Godehard - Hildesheim ~

Back to Europe today💜... with a nice church view... St Godehard's Church is an unspoiled gem of Romanesque architecture that has remained almost unaltered through the centuries and was not damaged much in World War II... formerly the church of a Benedictine abbey.... in 1963, it was awarded the title of a Basilica minor by Pope Paul VI as an important church building of the Roman Catholic Church.... with lovely Christmas stamp and 🌟Weihnachten🌟 postmark... Thanks a lot Dustin!(✿◠‿◠)  

Hildesheim is a city in Lower Saxony on the Innerste River in the foothills of the Harz Mountains and is one of the oldest cities in Northern Germany.

The Romanesque Basilica Minor of St. Godehard (St. Gotthard's Church) was built between 1133 and 1172.The basilica has served as the "cathedral" of the bishop of Hildesheim from 1945 to 1960, when the Hildesheim Cathedral was destroyed and rebuilt, and from 2010, when restoration of the cathedral began.

 

Stamp:

Christmas - The Angel's Message, "Do Not Be Afraid" 

(Issued 02-11-2021)