FRANCE ~ Saint Leocadie Church - Catalonia ~

... Nice view of a very small fortified church dedicated to Santa Leocadia... it is not the most impressive one in the region but a little gem from the 12th century... a church that has remained perfectly preserved... built in Romanesque style, it features a beautiful altarpiece and simple, traditional architecture... with large blocks carved from fossilized shell limestone, without foundations, no chapel... a very old, simple well-used church at the heart of an interesting Pyrenean village... with its old farms, listed church, and dreamlike landscapes it offers a wide selection of sites to discover during a stay in this region full of mysteries and traditions... Thanks a lot Josep&Assumpta! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Sainte-Léocadie is a small village of 140 inhabitants, perched at 1300 meters above sea level, in the heart of Cerdagne and is a commune in the Alta Cerdanya region, in Northern Catalonia.

The church was built in 1173  with a single nave, ending in a semicircular apse and surmounted by a more recent bell tower. The walls of the nave and apse are built of schist rubble. The bell tower, which rises above the triumphal arch, is pierced by two bell arcades. The nave has a pointed barrel vault; the apse has a cul-de-four vault.

Stamp:

EUROPA Stamp - National Archaeological Discoveries

(Issued 12-05-2025)

SPAIN ~ Puigcerdà - La Cerdanya - Catalonia ~

.... Lovely view of a small mountain town and the capital of the beautiful region of Cerdanya... located

in the long and flat Cerdanya valley surrounded by forests, meadows with rivers, glacial lakes and high rugged mountains... the Pyrenees, limestone faces of the Serra del Cadí and the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park which is contained within the range... it is the perfect place for sports lovers as there you can do hiking, cycling, mountain biking and many other activities in this wonderful surroundings... Thanks a lot Josep&Assumpta! ヽ(•‿•)ノ 

© Photography A. Campana
Puigcerdà  is located in the province of Girona, Catalonia, northern Spain, near the Segre River and on the border with France. The county of Cerdanya has its origin in the Spanish Marches established by Charlemagne. In the 9th century, Cerdanya was one of the lordships united in the person of the counts of Barcelona, who were also counts of Girona, Narbonne, and Urgell. Puigcerdà was founded in 1178 by King Alfonso I of Aragon, Count of Barcelona.

Stamps:

The Almagro International Classical Theater Festival 

(Issued 04-07-2024)

Luisa Carnes, 1905-1964 

(Issued 31-05-2024)

SPAIN ~Sant Miquel Chapel - Lillet - Catalonia ~

... Nice view of a Romanesque chapel... one of the few well preserved buildings of circular layout in Catalonia... linked to the large neighboring monastery... it is tiny and does not have any windows... in the inner part, you can only see an altar and a religious figure... (6.5 m in outer diameter and 4.7 m in interior)... it stands out for its austerity and regularity, only broken by the small apse and the entrance door... Thanks a lot Josep&Assumpta! ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ) 

La Pobla de Lillet village is located in the northeastern part of Berguedà at an altitude of 843 m, in a leafy valley at the foot of the Catllaràs mountain range.

Located about 150m from the Monastery of Santa Maria de Lillet, according to an inscription on the altar, the church was consecrated on 9 May 1000. This is also confirmed by a document signed by Antoni Barnola on 22 February 1791.Two restorations have been carried out: the first in 1935 and the second in 1980,  ​​in which the roof tiling was redone.

 Stamp:

Museums

(Issued 27-03-2024)

SPAIN ~ Girona - Catalonia ~

... Great view of a gorgeous small city in the north of Spain also called  the "City of the Four Rivers"... it is a well-preserved medieval city with lots of historical charm, beautiful architecture, and many attractions to see... it has one of the most important mediaeval quarters in Spain and one of the best-preserved old Jewish quarters in Europe... one of the main tourist attraction is the magnificent cathedral of Santa Maria located at the highest point of the old city featuring the widest Gothic nave in the world with a breadth of 22 metres... recognisable for the Game of Thrones fans as the "Great Sept of Baelor"... the historic centre is surrounded by walls from where you have a full panoramic view of the whole medieval part of Girona, you can even see the Pyrenees in the distance... Thanks a lot Josep&Assumpta!ヽ(•‿•)ノ  

© Jordi Puig 

Girona is a city of Catalonia and capital of the province of the same name. It is situated at the confluence of the rivers Ter, Galigants, Honiar, and Guel, near the border with France. The origins of the city of Girona date back to Roman times.                                                                     

 

Stamp:

The 1100 Anniversary of the Kingdom of Nájera 

(Issued 27-08-2023)

SPAIN ~ Aristot - Alt Urgell - Catalonia ~

... Another spectacular view of one of the many wonderful small villages in the Catalonian Pyrenees... this mountain village with only 29 inhabitants is located on the side of a hill... set in a majestic landscape, close to the border with Andorra... you can see the brick houses with their red roof tiles from afar... tourists come to Aristot to visit the castle ruins... but also to walk through the narrow streets and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of the surroundings... Thanks a lot Josep&Assumpta! ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ) 

Aristot  (1,223 m high) is a town in the municipality of Pont de Bar, in the Alt Urgell region  overlooking the Segre river valley. The houses extend around the Romanesque -style parish church of  St. Andrew, which has undergone several restorations over time. 

Alt Urgell is a comarca (county) in Catalonia, a modern representation of part of the historic County of Urgell (ca 789 - 1413), the seat of the Counts of Urgell and the historic region of Urgellet.

Stamp:

Roman Villa Salar 

(Issued 16-06-2023)

SPAIN ~ La Fresneda Town Hall - Aragon ~

... Lovely view of one of the many historical places in one of the most beautiful villages in Teruel, a province of Aragon...  this medieval Town hall palace dating from the 16thCi s a remarkable Renaissance-style building, with a large wrought-iron balcony... it also retains some elements of late Gothic style... the house has three floors with three different facades... the main façade has a Renaissance style and the side façade has a late Gothic style... it is considered a Cultural Asset of Aragon and its importance is such that it has been replicated in Barcelona... Thanks a lot Josep&Assumpta! ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ)

La Fresneda is a place with a very small population (462 inhabitants). Belonging to the so-called Franja d'Aragó , a Catalan-speaking Aragonese territory that for the most part borders on Catalonia, the official name of the region is Matarraña/Matarranya. 

Stamps:

Personalities - Almudena Grandes, 1960-2021

(Issued 27-05-2022)

Christmas 

(Issued 07-11-2022é

SPAIN ~ Montserrat - Barcelona - Catalonia ~

... Winter scene of a spectacularly beautiful Benedictine monk mountain retreat.. a sacred site nestled in the heart of Catalonia... it offers you some of the most spectacular mountain views and unusual rock formations... the Montserrat mountain and its monastery have always been an important symbol of Catalonia´s history, spiritual beliefs and culture, and is also the home of the religious figure of the Mare de Dé u de Montserrat, the patron saint of Catalonia... the Benedictine community is still active after many centuries and today the mountain on Montserrat welcomes thousands of Christian pilgrims every year... one of the highlight of your visit to the monastery is to listen to the famous Basilica choir boy performances of Gregorian chants and other genres of religious choral music... one of the oldest in Europe... Thanks a lot Josep&Assumpta!(✿ ♥‿♥)

This incredible mound was formed 45 million years ago. Its name Montserrat means ‘jagged or serrated mountain’ because of the sharp looking peaks of the mountain.

The Benedictine Monastery in Montserrat was founded  in the 11thC by Abbot Oliba, beside the shrine of Santa Maria (9th century). Nothing remains of this small church, although some features of the Romanesque church built in the 12thC can still be seen today.

The current abbey is a Renaissance work dating from the 16thC, whose demolition by Napoleonic troops meant it had to be extensively rebuilt. The façades of both the abbey and the monastery date from the 20thC. The temple was named a basilica in 1881 by Pope Leo XIII.

Stamps:

Fallas Festival, Valencia

(Issued 01-03-2022)

Personalities - Dolors Aleu, 1857-1913

(Issied 30-06-2022)

SPAIN ~ Espinelves - Catalonia ~

... Beautiful winter scene of a small medieval Catalan village with only 220 inhabitants... surrounded by silent forests, full of peace and quiet... the most characteristic element of the town is the Romanesque church built in the 11thC... or visit the Masjoan an arboretum of 400 hectares formed by 58 different species of conifers (some more than 40 meters high!)... among them is the tallest pine tree in Catalonia... forestry, which has been the traditional economic activity, has currently given rise to wood craftsmanship and the growing of Christmas trees and fir trees... one of its most famous annual festivals is the Fir Fair... it exhibits the different varieties of firs grown in Espinelves...  a town whose life revolves around this tree🌲... Thanks a lot Josep & Assumpta! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Espinelves is a village in the Osona region, but belonging to the province of Girona. It is located at an altitude of 750m, in the largest forest in Catalonia, in the Montseny-Guilleries area, between the Coll de Revell and the Coll del Bruc, for this reason we can find forests of oaks, firs, holm oaks and chestnut trees. 

 Stamps:

2X King Felipe VI 

(Issued 19-01-2015)

Order of the Fratres de Caceres 

(Issued 28-10-2020)

SPAIN ~ Siurana - Catalonia ~

... Amazing view of a tiny picturesque historical village high in the mountains (I had to look very closely to find it😉) ... a village of officially 30 inhabitiants... perched at the top of a small cliff in Cornudella de Montsant with a stunning 360 view of the surrounding Prades mountains located in the heart of Catalonia... next to the endless rocks and cliffs you can find in this tale village many medieval houses, villas out of stones, cobblestones and narrow streets everywhere...  this amazing mountain of legends and cliffs is also well-known around the world by enthusiasts of rock climbing... with more than 1700 well protected sport climbing routes... Thanks a lot Josep&Assumpta! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Siurana is a village of the municipality of the Cornudella de Montsant in the comarca of Priorat, Tarragona andis situated in the catalan province called "Tarragona".

Prades Mountains, also known as Muntanyes de Prades, is a large calcareous mountain massif with many smaller subranges. These mountains have characteristic large and rounded rocky outcrops, the main peak is Tossal de la Baltasana (1203 m). They are mostly heavily forested with oak and pine trees, and the non-native chestnut tree has adapted to the local forests.

Stamp:

Holy Year of Santigao - Floreano by Gogue 

(Issued 27-05-2021)

SPAIN ~ Poblet Monastery - Catalonia - UNESCO ~

... Panoramic view of a beautiful architectural element of great importance for the Cistercian community...  this 12thC cloister fountain and pavilion is located in the courtyard of the main cloister, in front of the refectory... the washbasin is built in marble and has 31 spouts...  the rules obliged the monks to pass through the basin before entering to eat and wash their hands... although currently their function is purely decorative... a community of more than 30 monks still lives in it in meditation, seclusion, manual labor and self-reliance... the Poblet Monastery is the most important of the 3 monasteries that make up what is known as the Cistercian Route of Catalonia... Thanks Belén!【ツ】

The Royal Abbey of Santa Maria de Poblet is a Cistercian monastery whose monks, since its foundation in 1150, have followed the Rule of Saint Benedict. Closed down due to the Spanish State's laws in 1835, the monastery was refounded in 1940 by Italian monks of the same Order.

This Cistercian abbey is one of the best examples of religious architecture in Catalonia and in Europe and one of the most complete Cistercian abbeys in the world. It houses also the tombs of a long line of kings and queens of Catalonia and Aragon (the medieval Catalan Kings) in a great pantheon. 

 It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.

Stamp: 

Combat Corona Campaign - UNHCR Against COVID-19 

(Issued 18-06-2021)

SPAIN ~ Miravet Castle - Tarragona - Catalonia ~

.... Nice view of a small historical town built on a steep rock above the river with an ancient castle towering overhead.... the village and this well-preserved medieval castle is Arab in origin and later transformed into a fortress-monastery by the Order of the Knights Templar... built on an excellent vantage point it is one of the best examples of  Romanesque, religious and military, architecture of the Order of the Templars in Western Europe... it is considered to be the largest fortified complex in Catalonia... this castle has so much history and it comes with a bonus... from the towers you have amazing views of the surrounding countryside and river Ebro... Thanks a lot Josep & Assumpta! ❀◕ ‿ ◕❀ 

Miravet is a municipality in the comarca of Ribera d'Ebre in the Province of Tarragona in Southern Catalonia.

After its conquest in 1153, the castle ended up in hands of the Christians. After Christians, it has been given to Pere de Rovira, master of the Knights Templar. Under Knights Templar’s power, the castle has been reconstructed becoming one of the main centers of Christian power on the Iberian Peninsula.

The castle complex includes spaces and rooms that are clear proof of the economic independence of Templars: a bedroom, stables, refectory, storerooms, granary and wine cellar, storage rooms, shops, a large kitchen, a dining room... In total, there are 15 rooms.  Highlights include the hall, which is reached through a door with a horseshoe arch; and the church, dedicated to Sant Martí, which is in the Romanesque style.(13th C) 

Stamp:

Personalities: Margarita Salas

(Issued 29-06-2021)

SPAIN ~ Tavèrnoles - The valley of Sau Collsacabra - Catalonia ~

... Pretty view of the belfry of the Sant Esteve church located in the heart of the town... a Romanesque church of great historical and architectural value...Tavèrnoles is a small village (320 inhabitants) located in the Valley of Sau - Collsacabra right where Guilleries mountains start rising.... the municipal area is 19 km2...  surrounded by thick forests of pines and oaks... this  town has many well-preserved old farmhouses and country cottages, some of which have been converted into rural accommodation for visitors... if you like walking, there are several possible routes to choose from... Thanks a lot Josep & Assumpta!(✿ ♥‿♥)

Tavèrnoles is a municipality located in the Osona region a comarca situated in Catalonia, Northeast Spain. At the eastern end of Osona near to the Mediterranean Sea lies The Valley of Sau - Collsacabra.

The current church building dates from 1070 and was under the vassalage of the Viscount of Cardona. During the 17th and 18thC it underwent several changes whereby the side chapels were opened and the portal was moved. The belfry has biforate windows and is separated by columns and the Baroque portal.

Stamps:

2X King Felipe

Christmas
(Issued 05-11-2019)

International Day of Deafblindness
(Issued 27-06-2018)

SPAIN ~ Burg - Catalonia ~

... Beautiful winter scenery of a small village clinging to the hillside in the Pyrenees Mountains...  on the southern slope of a sierra (El Ferri), ... one of many picturesque villages and small towns in this beautiful region of Spain... Burg is more a collection of houses rather than an actual village... it has an important cultural and gastronomical side with a restaurant that promotes local products and a theatre that hosts show and dance events... Thanks a lot Josep & Assumpta!! (✿ ♥‿♥)

The village of Burg is located in the valley of Rio Noguera Pallaresa in Upper Catalonia.

It is located to the north of the head of the municipality of Farrera, to the right of the Barranco or Torrent de Burg at the foot of the Solà de Burg, on the southwestern slope of the Sierra de Manga and to the southeast foot of the Farro.

Stamps:

King Felipe VI
(Issued 02-01-2016)

Archivo General de Indias - Seville
(Issued 31-10-2018)

National Stamp Design Competition
(Issued 05-02-2019)

SPAIN ~ Ell Call (The Jewish Quarter) - Girona ~

... Back to Europe🙂 with a beautiful and atmospheric view of the former Jewish Quarter of the Old Town... one of the best well-preserved in the world... an ancient beauty and must see... a maze of winding narrow cobbled streets, stairs and courtyards that remained nowadays very much the same way as they were in medieval times 500 years ago.... lined with lovely boutiques and restaurants... if you want to learn more about the history of the Jewish communities in Catalonia visit the Jewish Museum in town... with great matching Jewish Cultural Heritage stamp... Thanks a lot Josep & Assumpta !! ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ)

The Jewish quarter is located in the heart of Girona, Northern Catalonia’s largest city. They lived there from 982 till 1492. It’s also known as “El Call”, which comes from the Latin “Callis” or “streets”.

In the call there was the synagogue, the ritual baths and the butchers, as well as other community services.

The streets of Carrer de Sant Llorenç and Carreró, Travessia del Dr Luis Batlle and Carrer del Dr Miquel Oliva make up the main part of the Jewish quarter here. Torre Gironella is the famous refuge of the Jews during troubled times.





Photo: © Joan M. Linares



Stamps:

 Jewish Cultural Heritage
(Issued 28-11-1997)


America UPAEP Issue - Tourist Destinations
(Issued 13-10-2017)

SPAIN ~ Besalú - Catalonia ~

... Stunning view of a Medieval Gem in the Heart of Catalonia... and one of the best preserved Medieval towns in Spain... the picturesque town centre is a compact huddle of restored historic stone houses, small squares with narrow cobbled and flagstone streets... a step back in time... surrounded by lush green... the most famous landmark is its impressive 12thC multi-arched Romanesque bridge over the river Fluviá... Thanks a lot dear Joseph & Assumpta!! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Besalú is located in Girona, Catalonia and was an important town in Roman times; when the Moors were expelled from this corner of Spain in the 9thC it was one of the first independent counties that arose. The town prospered, as it had done in Romans times and remained a place of importance well into the 14thC.

Important monuments include the Mikva, a twelfth-century Jewish bathhouse, the Romanesque church of Santa Vicenç (1018) and the ruins of Romanesque Santa María.The 11thC Hospital, the late 12thC monastery of San Pedro and the church and monsatery of Sant Pere.

The name Besalú is derived from the Latin Bisuldunum, meaning a fort on a mountain between two rivers.

Stamp:

The 250th Anniversary of the Circus
(Issued 09-02-2018)