POLAND ~ Lady with an Ermine - Lenonardo da Vinci - Krakow ~

And finally my last great postcard coming from Krakow💙... few people know that in this city is a well known Leonardo da Vinci painting... a beautiful and important painting because it is one of the only four women’s portraits painted by him.... the first renaissance painting of a woman that shows her personality and mind, not only her beauty... in excellent condition despite the passage of over 500 years... according to some art historians, it is the first portrait of modern-ages in the world... from 2017 this magnificent painting is housed in the Main Building of the National Museum... Thanks so much dear Dustin for taking me with you on your trip in Krakow through wonderful postcards! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Lady with an Ermine (Portrait of Cecilia Gallerani) was painted between 1489 and 1490. The subject of the portrait is Cecilia Gallerani, the mistress of Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. Leonardo was in the service of the Duke at the time the portrait was painted.

The finished oil-on-wood painting, which is owned by the Czartoryski Foundation in Poland, shows the woman holding a light-colored ermine in her arms.The ermine was a symbol of purity for Leonardo

The Lady With An Ermine' came into Polish hands in 1800, after it was bought by the young Prince Adam Czartoryski (later a hero in the fight for Polish independence) during his tour of Italy. The painting was for his mother, a keen collector and the foundress of the Czartoryski Museum.

Stamps:

Never Again
(Issued 27-01-2018)

Defence War 1939
(Issued 27-08-2009)

The 15th Anniversary of Poland's Accession to the European Union
(Issued 01-05-2019)

POLAND ~ Jagiellonian University - Krakow - UNESCO ~

... Great view of the courtyard "Collegium Maius" one of the oldest buildings of the university... and one of the oldest in the city... it is an attractive example of Gothic style architecture with an inner courtyard surrounded by a series of arches made of brick and stone... today, Collegium Maius houses the Jagiellonian University Museum... with an extensive collection of historic instruments once used for astronomy, meteorology, cartography, physics and chemistry... one of the highlights of the Collegium Maius is its courtyard clock... the clock performs every two hours, when a parade of wooden figures depicting the most important people associated with the university come alive to a pleasant tune... one of the university's most famous students is Nicolaus Copernicus... and also Pope John Paul II studied here... Thanks a lot Dustin!✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

The Kraków University was founded on 12 May 1364 by the Polish king Casimir the Great. Following the failed attempts to restore it in the 1390s, the University was re-founded by King Vladislaus Jagiełło on 26 July 1400.

Queen Jadwiga, who died in 1399, contributed to the restoration by leaving a considerable portion of her private estate to the University in her last will. The University's structure was already complete in 1397, with the formal establishment of the faculty of theology. The oldest, main college was at first called the Royal Jagiellonian College (Collegium Regium), and then the Greater College (Collegium Maius).

The university consists of fifteen faculties, including the humanities, law, the natural and social sciences, and medicine. The university employs roughly 4,000 academics, and has more than 40,000 students who study in some 80 disciplines

Stamps:

The 80th Anniversary of the Defense of the Polish Post in Gdańsk
(Issued 01-09-2019)

The 80th Anniversary of the Start of World War II
(Issued 01-09-2019)

POLAND ~ Market Square - Krakow ~

... Lovely Krakow view nr 2... right in the heart of the old town is the main square, popularly known as the Rynek Glowny... one the largest medieval market squares in Europe... it  has an important historical, cultural and social significance... dominated by the Renaissance-style Cloth Hall and flanked by colorful neoclassical buildings, the square is both an architectural landmark and the main hub of local life... you can enjoy a cup of coffee in one of the many restaurant terraces... listen to a traditional bugle call that can be heard every hour from the tower of St. Mary’s Basilica... and visit the oldest “supermarket” of Poland... with great matching "Krakow" stamp... Thank you Dustin!!ヽ(ヅ)ノ

The huge main square was staked out for the city when Kraków received its city charter based on Magdeburg Law in 1257. It was set up at the intersection of ancient trading routes, on the plan of a square, with each side slightly exceeding 200 m.

The name Rynek (Market Square), deriving from the German word Ring, was first used around 1300, and the current one – Rynek Główny (Main Market Square)– has only been in use since the end of the 19thC.

Krakow Old Town was acclaimed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1978.

Stamps:

Krakow - Capital of European Culture
(Issued 26-04-2000)

EUROPE - National birds
(Issued 24-04- 2019)

POLAND ~ Wawel Cathedral - Krakow - UNESCO ~

... First of 4 great Polish postcards👍... and indeed my first ever from "Krakow"😉... this one shows Poland's most important national sanctuary... the cathedral attached to Poland's royal castle is huge and impressive, especially the tombs are fantastic... it holds a special place in the history of the Polish State due to the fact that it was the church of Polish kings for 400 years... the most important state ceremonies: coronations, weddings, baptisms and funeral ceremonies of Polish royalty were celebrated at Wawel Cathedral’s High Altar... a special place in the Pantheon of Kracow bishops is due to Cardinal Karol Wojtyła, who was raised to the highest Church dignity and became the spiritual father of the entire world as Pope John Paul II...  In 2008 his monument was built, facing the entrance to Wawel Cathedral... with wonderful  minisheet depicting Pope Francis❤️...   Big Thanks Dustin!!【ツ】

"We are all well aware that to enter this Cathedral can not be without emotion. More I say, you can not enter it without the internal tremor, without fear because it contains in it – as in almost no Cathedral of the world – the enormous size, which speaks to us in all our history, our entire past." ________________________________________ Kardynał Karol Wojtyła 8 March 1964

Krakow is located in the south east of Poland founded in 1257 and has always been one of Poland's most important cities and important cultural and educational centers. Until 1609 Kracow was the Polish capital, when it was moved to the more central Warsaw.

The Wawel Cathedral ( Katedra Wawelska), is a Roman Catholic church located atop of Wawel Hill. The building you see is the third church on this site, consecrated in 1364. The present-day cathedral  is basically a Gothic structure but chapels in different styles were built around it later.

In 1978 the entire old town was named UNESCO site.

Stamp:

World Youth Day  - Joint Issue with Vatican City
(Issued 10-05-2016)

POLAND ~ Gdansk - UNESCO (Tentative) ~

... Many lovely views of one of Poland's prettiest seaside cities... a city with rich heritage and history... the historic centre of the city is a beautiful place with some stunning architecture that’s heavily influenced by Germanic and Polish tradition... and political history... Gdansk was a witness of events which shaped not only the history of Poland but also the whole world.... this city is considered to be a symbolic place of Second World War outbreak... in Gdansk Polish workers created Solidarity - first independent anti-Soviet labor union... a major and very popular tourist attraction for both Polish citizens and foreigners... Thanks a lot Sylwia! ❀◕ ‿ ◕❀

Gdansk is located in the northernmost point of the country. A city on the Baltic coast, it is the main port of Poland and the capital and largest city of the Pomeranian Voivodeship.

Founded in 997, the city's name is thought to originate from the Gdania River. It has been known by many names through its history which dating back 100s of years. Danzig, Kdanzk, Danczig, Gyddanyzc, Danzc, Danczk, Gdąnsk, Gdania, Danceke, Danczik and Gdanzc.

Stamp:

Polish Cities - Białystok
(Issued 19-02-2019)

POLAND ~ Narew National Park ~

... Beautiful Polish National Park view nr 10 in my collectionツ... in total there are 23 NP in the country... the most important value is its unique river system... a network of interconnected channels which flow throughout this area... nicknamed the "Polish Amazon"... also an important water reservoir and marsh birds find here a place to rest during their migrations..... the best way to explore its waters is by kayak or "pychówka", a traditional Polish boat.... or walking on footbridges... with nice special postmark... Thanks once more Krystyna!!【ツ】

Narew National Park is a National Park in eastern Poland, created in 1996. The total area of the Park is 73.5 km2, of which only 20.57 km2 is state-owned, the balance being privately held.

The park covers the Upper Narew Valley, a swampy area between the towns of Suraz and Rzedziany. Around 90% of Park’s area are either swamps or waters with the Narew as the main river, which splits in the area into many river beds, but also numerous smaller rivers.

Stamps:

Weather Phenomenon
(Issued 25-04-2008)

Flowers and fruits
(Issued 07-12-2015)

Flowers and Fruits
(Issued 20-10-2016)

POLAND ~ Suchar IV Lake - Wigry National Park ~

... Beautiful lake view with yellow pine pollen floating on the water... a National Park famous for its numerous lakes... different in shape, size and depth... in total 42 of them... one of the youngest NP in the country... the most popular attractions of the park is the narrow-gauge railway, which was once used for transporting timber, and now provides the opportunity to see the lake from the windows of the wagons... also a great place for cyclists, hikers,canoeing and it has a national park museum... with the most wonderful horse stampsッ... Thanks so much Krystyna!!(✿ ♥‿♥)

Photo: Paulina Pajer-Giełażys
The Wigry National Park is located in north-eastern Poland close to the Lithuanian border. The Park was established in 1989 with  an area of nearly 150.000 km2. The majority (63%) is covered by forests and one fifth is covered by water. It was was created for the protection of the post-glacial landscape, Lake Hańcza with a varied coastline and the forests of the Augustów Primeval Forest. It is named after lake Wigry, the largest of the Park's many lakes.

The European beaver is the symbol of the Wigry National Park. There are also roe deer, deer, elk, wild boar and badgers, lesser spotted eagles, sea eagles, buzzards and marsh harriers nest here.

Stamps:

The 200th Anniversary of the Janów Podlaski Stud
(Issued 31-08-2017)

POLAND ~ Malbork Fortress - UNESCO -

...Stunning view of the largest medieval fortress in Europe... impressive walls, towers, bridges and gates... a major and one of the greatest historical attractions in Poland itself... the castle has been almost completely reconstructed and converted into a public museum... it was built as a site of power and a center of the medieval world... Thanks a lot Krystyna!! ヽ(ヅ)ノalso for using many great stamps!♥

Photo: Andrzéj Gilewski
The castle was founded in 1274 by the Teutonic Order during their government of Prussia and is located on the bank of the river Nogat.

The castle once housed approximately 3,000 "brothers in arms", and the outermost castle walls enclose 52 acres (210,000 m²), four times larger than the enclosed space of Windsor Castle. It was expanded several time to host the growing number of Knights, It consists of three separate sections - the High, Middle and Lower Castles, separated by multiple dry moats and towers.

The Order eventually imploded due to infighting, and the castle was pawned to mercenaries as payment during the Thirteen Years War. In 1457, the mercenaries sold the castle to Poland, the kingdom they were originally hired to fight. Malbork Castle was never conquered by force, although it was almost completely dismantled and destroyed during WWII.

Malbork fortress was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.

Stamps:
Impressionism in Polish Painting
(03-11-2005)

Flowers and Fruits
(Issued 26-06-2015)

Wild Life of the Baltic Sea
(Issued 29-07-2009)

 Artists
(Issued 20-11-2009)

POLAND ~ European Robin - Słowiński National Park - UNESCO ~

... Wonderful postcard nr2 showing this Polish National Park... also a well-known and much-loved garden companion ( in my garden too♥)... but I think most of us have a soft spot for them... they are such lovely little birds, so beautiful designed... Thanks a lot Magda!!ヽ(ヅ)ノ

Photo: Grzegorz Jędro
Slowinski National Park (18247 ha) was established to protect a unique habitat of moving dunes, coastal lakes and natural forests.  255 bird species have been recorded, over 140 of which nest there.

Features of the robin include its distinctive red breast and face, grey under parts, brown head, wings and tail. Their flight is distinguishable by rapid wing beats for short, fast flight.

Most robins are sedentary, defending their territories year-round, with many females also establishing their own winter territories. However, a handful head south to winter on the Continent, joining other robins passing through in the autumn on their way from Scandinavia and northern continental Europe.

Slowinski National Park is listed as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reservation.

Stamps:

Definitives - Flowers and Fruits
(Issued 15-09-2015)

Flowers and Fruits
(Issued 15-07-2016)

POLAND ~ Biebrza Valley - Biebrzanski National Park ~

... Great Polish National Park nr8... the largest wetland in Central Europe... a little European Amazon... with pristine wetlands, clean waters, wilderness, and few or no human settlements...  it is known as the country's green lungs... the Biebrza river offers great conditions for canoeing, with a water route of 135 km... the park is a unique refuge for waterfowl in Europe... birds taking shelter here while breeding, feeding or just resting during their annual migration.... a birdwatchers and ornithologists lovers’ paradise... Thanks once more Krystyna!! ❁◕ ‿ ◕❁

Photo: Agnieszka Henel
Poland's largest national parks, the Biebrzanski with an area of ​​area is 59223 ha. is located in the north-eastern part of the country along the Biebrza River. The park extends over the Biebrza river valley. (Biebrza River Marshes has an area of 254.94 km2.) This National Park was established in 1993.

The word Biebrza is probably derived from bóbr, which stands for beaver in Polish. That’s not very surprising if you consider that beavers have abounded in the local wetlands for many centuries.

The fauna is rich and diverse, and features mammals such as wolves, wild boar, foxes, roe deer, otters, beavers and many species of invertebrates, like butterflies, spiders, reptiles and amphibians.
But the iconic animal of the park is the "elk", about half of the country’s population, around 500 animals, live within the park’s borders.

Stamps:

 Poland in the European Union
(Issued 18-02-2003)

Lost Works of Art
(Issued 21-10-2013)

POLAND ~ Słowiński National Park - UNESCO ~

... Great new National Park☝... amazing white sand dunes view of which I never would have thought it was in Poland... it looks like a desert... from woods through dunes to the sea... the greatest attraction of this National Park are the unique "moving sand dunes"... the only in Europe... they are regarded as a curiosity of nature... Thanks a lot Krystyna!!【ツ】

The Slowinski National Park, established on 1st January 1967, is located on the Baltic Sea coast, centrally between Leba and Rowy. The total area of the park is 18,618 hectares.

The park has been named after the Slowincy people (a native group of the Kaszuby region) who once inhabited the marshy zones in this part of Poland.

One of its greatest peculiarities are its large sand dunes which occupy a major portion of the park from the side of the sea. It is the largest area of wandering sands in Europe, having an area of around 500 hectares. This whole region is reminiscent of a sandy desert. Some of the dunes still continue to move in an easterly direction with speeds of up to 10m per year.

The specific natural and scientific values were the deciding factors to recognize the park by UNESCO as a world biosphere reserve in 1977.

Stamps:

Flowers and Fruits
(Issued 26-06-2015)

Polish Cities - Sieradz
(Issued 29-07-2005)

Lighthouses
(Issued 14-06-2013)

POLAND ~ Magura National Park ~

... Today a great new European National Park... my sixth of the 23 National parks in Poland... so, still a lot more to find ㋡... this Park is an oasis of peace and quiet filled with forests, meadows and moors... nature enthusiasts will find trails for hiking, biking, and horse-riding as well as a few historic landmarks.... Thanks a lot Alicja!!✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

Photo:Ⓒ P. Lewandowski - M. Grzegorzek - T. Ogórek
The Magura National Park was established on January 1, 1995. It is situated at the heart of the Beskid Niski and covers the source area of the Wisłoka river and the Magura Wątkowska range. It was established to protect the unique transitional area between the Eastern and Western Carpathians. Its area is 19 439 hectares, 89.7% of which is in the Podkarpackie voivodeship, and the rest in the Małopolskie voivodeship.

Being largely covered by forests (95%) the park is home to as many as 57 species of mammals, including bears, wolves, badgers, lynxes and wild cats.

The park is a habitat for 160 species of birds, including many rare and protected ones, such as the golden eagle, boreal owl, Eurasian pygmy owl and the Ural owl. Over thirty pairs of the lesser spotted eagle have their nests in the park, making it an area with one of the highest densities of population of this species in Poland. The population of the buzzard is one of the largest in Europe.

Stamp:

Crown of Polish Mountains
(Issued 30-06-2017)

POLAND ~ Babia Góra National Park - UNESCO ~

...Breathtaking scenic view... standing on the edge of that cliff overlooking the mountains and waiting for the sunrise must be an awesome experience... a new and the smallest NP of Poland to add to my collection... this impressive massif was referred to in the 19thC as "Queen of the Beskids", but also "Mother of Foul Weather" and "Whimsical Girl", due to the extremely unpredictable weather at the top...Thanks a lot Alecja!【ツ】

Babia Góra National Park is one of the 23 national parks in Poland, located in the southern part of the country, in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, on the border with Slovakia.

This NP covers about 3,5 ha, mainly forests and alpine floor vegetation above the forests. Babia Góra (which is the main point of the Park) is the highest peak in Beskidy and one of biggest in whole Carpathian Mountains.

The animal life is represented by lynx, badger, marten, fox, weasel, deer, wild boar, wolf and, occasionally, brown bear. There are approximately 120 species of birds observed there. The old stands of trees near Mokry Staw (Wet Pond) are nesting grounds for the great eagle owl, buzzard and the tawny owl. The worlds of insects, amphibians and reptiles are also very rich.

Since 1976 it has been listed by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. The area of the biosphere reserve was extended in 2001.

Stamps:

Flowers and Fruits
(Issued 26-06-2015)

The 200th Anniversary of the University of Warsaw May
(Issued 13-05-2016)

POLAND ~ Bieszczady National Park ~

...Great views of a new National Park... it’s one of Europe’s most remote and wild areas and is home to all manner of wildlife... the area is fondly known as the "Polish Wild East"... it is visited by around 400.000 tourists a year... Thanks a lot Paulina!!【ツ】

Bieszczady National Park was established on August 4th, 1973 and covers an area of nearly 30.000 ha and third largest national park in Poland.  It's is located in the southeastern tip of the country bordering Slovakia and Ukraine, 80% of the park is covered with forests. The highest peak, Mount Tarnica, rises to an altitude of around 1,253m above sea level.

The fauna of Bieszczady includes some 200 rare species. Their number includes the European bison, which was introduced in 1963 in Forestry Stuposiany, as well as brown bear, lynx, wildcat, wolf, deer and wild boar. Birds are represented by over 100 species, including the Ural owl, Alpine hedge-sparrow, pipit, and golden eagle. Numerous reptiles, including viper, may be encountered on the trails.

Stamps:

Economic & Priority
(Issued 08-03-2013)

POLAND ~ Warsaw - UNESCO ~

...Beautiful views of the capital of Poland....also known the "Phoenix City" because it has survived many wars, conflicts and invasions throughout its long history...it is the birthplace of the famous composer, Chopin and Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize... Thanks so much Andrene from this last card of your tour in Europe...I hope you had a wonderful stay here!!! ✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

Photo: Christian Parma "Old Town Market Square   Kanmienne Schodki Street  Castle Square  Freta Street    Jezuicka Street"
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly 260 kilometres (160 mi) from the Baltic Sea and 300 kilometres (190 mi) from the Carpathian Mountains. The symbol of the city is the Mermaid, featured on the city seal.

The city offers a variety of tourist attractions, including historical sights, monuments, museums, theatres, and places connected with Marie Curie, and with Frédéric Chopin and his music.

The historic city-centre of Warsaw with its picturesque Old Town in 1980 was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stamp:

Flowers and Fruits
(Issued 15-07-2016)

Poland ~ Częstochowa ~

...Lovely views of the holiest place of Poland and one of the world’s most important destinations for pilgrims...every year several million Catholics pilgrims come here to pray before the miraculous picture of Our Lady of Czestochowa... Thanks a lot Andrene!! ✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

Częstochowa is a situated in southern Poland on the Warta River. The city is known for the famous Jasna Góra monastery. The monastery is home to many treasures, but none so precious as the iconic 'Black Madonna' painting, a shrine to Virgin Mary, which has been the object of pilgrimages since the 14th century. The faithful has believed for ages that St. Luke the Evangelist himself painted the divine icon on a tabletop from the Holy Family’s house.
.
Pope John Paul II, a native of Poland, was a fervent devotee of the Virgin Mary and of her icon at Częstochowa.

Stamp: Flowers and Fruits (Issued 15-07-2016)

POLAND ~ The Historic Salt Mine Wieliczka - UNESCO ~

...Great views of one of the oldest Salt mines in the world.... it works since the Middle Ages...  each year it is visited by more than one million tourists from all over the world...and you can actually mail a postcard from down there, using a special postmark...Thanks sooo much Andrene!!(♥‿♥)

Photo: Janusz Podlecki 1. The Danilowcz Shaft - 2. The Great Legend sculpture - 3. Gnomes sculpture - 4. The Weimar Chamber - 5. The Erazm Baracz Chamber - 6. The Pieskowa Skala Chamber - 7. St. Kinga's Chapel - 8. The Nicholas Copernicus Chamber
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is located in the town of Wieliczka in southern Poland. Opened in the 13th century, the mine produced table salt continuously until 2007, as one of the world's oldest salt mines in operation.

The mine reaches a depth of 327 meters and is over 287 kilometres (178 mi) long. The mine's attractions include dozens of statues and four chapels carved out of the rock salt by the miners. The older sculptures have been supplemented with new carvings made by contemporary artists.

The Wieliczka Salt Mine was included on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1978.


Stamp:
Flowers and Fruits
(Issued 15-07-2016)

POLAND ~Dunajec River Gorge-Pieniny National Park-UNESCO Tentative List ~

...Nice postcard with many beautiful nature views...a new addition to my "National Parks" collection!!
Thanks a lot Bartosz!!

The Dunajec River runs through the Pieniny Mountains from the northern part of Slovakia into southern Poland, forming part of the border between the two countries. The Dunajec River Gorge is one of the most scenic areas of the river and is currently on a list of tentative UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Located within the Pieniny National Park, the gorge features layers of limestone and dolomite rock, with cliffs rising 300 meters above the river and is understandably one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region.

Stamps:

Polish Cities - Sieradz
(Issued 29-07-2005)
The 200th Anniversary of the Death of Jan Potocki, 1761-1815
(Issued 25-06-20 15)

POLAND ~Białowieża Forest - UNESCO ~

...Great  map and native animal postcard... one of the 10 top tourist attractions in Poland... a remnant of untouched wilderness... Thanks a lot Ania!!

Bialowieza Forest is an ancient woodland dating back to 8000BC that straddles the border between two countries – Poland and Belarus. It is one of the last and largest remaining parts of the immense primeval forest that once stretched across the European Plain.

Situated on the watershed of the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea, this immense forest range, consisting of evergreens and broad-leaved trees, (pine, beech, oak, alder and spruce are found in the forest) is also home to some remarkable animal life, including rare mammals such as the wolf, the lynx and the otter, as well as some 300 European Bison, a species which has been reintroduced into the park.


Stamp:
2014 Winter Olympics - Sochi, Russia
(Issued 07-02-2014)

POLAND ~Auschwitz-Birkenau - UNESCO ~

...I can only imagine the feeling you would get walking throughout this place....two of the most tragic sites in Europe... Thanks Magda!!
"THE ONE WHO DOES NOT REMEMBER HISTORY  IS BOUND TO LIVE THROUGH IT AGAIN"                                                            George Santayana quote at the Auschwitz Museum

From the back of card 1:
Initially, whole Jewish families were marched for some two kilometres on foot to the gas chambers.
From 1944, transports were brought straight to the crematoriums.

Stamps:
Signs of the Zodiac
(Issued 10-07-1996)
Polish cities-Sieradz
(Issued 29-07-2005)

From the back of card 2:
In Auschwitz-Birkenau 5 crematoriums with gas chambers were in operation. 6-7 kilograms of Cyclone B gas was enough tot kill about 1500 people within just over a dozen minutes.

It is estimated that around 1.6 million people were killed in the Auschwitz camps.
While Auschwitz was built for labor, Birkenau was built for extermination.

A Martyrdom Museum was set up here in 1947, and in 1979 Auschwitz-Birkenau was added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage sites