Monday, April 25, 2016

New Schleissheim Palace - Germany

The New Schleissheim Palace is one of the three palaces that form the Schleissheim Palace Complex in a grand baroque park in the village of Oberschleißheim, a suburb of Munich, Bavaria, Germany. The palace was a summer residence of the Bavarian rulers of the House of Wittelsbach.
This card was sent by Christine.

Elector Max Emanuel, who was hoping to become the next emperor, had the New Palace built as his future residence. Originally planned as a four-wing complex, it was begun in the winter of 1700/01 under the well-known court architect Henrico Zuccalli.
The unfortunate outcome of the Spanish War of Succession, which forced Max Emanuel into exile in 1704, brought the building work to a halt after scarcely more than the shell of the main wing had been built. It was not until the elector returned from his Paris exile in 1715 that the work could be resumed.

© Schöning GmbH & Co. KG
Because of the financial situation in the country, however, the original plan consisting of a cour d'honneur complex with massive side wings, further pavilions and the Old Palace on the west side was gradually simplified. Finally all that remained of the large-scale design was the monumental main tract – the New Palace – without the wings that would have connected it to the Old Palace.
On the death of Max Emanuel at the end of February 1726, the palace complex had not yet been completed, but most of the main building was finished. Many of the rooms were still incomplete and the missing fixtures such as marble fireplaces, wall coverings, panelling and flooring were only gradually installed afterwards by Max Emanuel's son and successor, Karl Albrecht (reigned 1726-45).
Max III Joseph (reigned 1745-77), grandson of Max Emanuel and the last elector of the Old Bavarian line of the House of Wittelsbach, had the guards' hall turned into a dining hall and commissioned two richly carved palace portals from the Bavarian sculptor Ignaz Günther.
With the art collection begun by Elector Max Emanuel, Schleißheim New Palace was already a gallery palace by the end of the 18th century, and was increasingly made accessible to the public. This tradition is continued by the State Gallery of European Baroque Art, part of the Bavarian State Collection of Paintings, which is today housed in the electoral apartments and halls. It comprises works of all the main schools of this art epoch. In 2001, 300 years after the foundation stone of the New Palace was laid, this unique baroque gallery was reopened with a new layout after comprehensive restoration work. - in: http://www.schloesser-schleissheim.de/englisch/n_palace/history.htm

Aigle Castle - Switzerland

It was with these cards that Óscar and his family, wished me happy holidays in the last 2 years.
Aigle Castle is a castle in the municipality of Aigle of the Canton of Vaud in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

© photoglob Zürich * Photo: U. Bangerter
 Built around the end of the 12th century by the Saillon family on behalf of the House of Savoy, the castle protected Aigle, controlled the Rhone valley and the access to Pays-d'Enhaut. 
The Bernese occupiers took it over in 1475 and gave it its current form. When the Lake Geneva Region obtained its independence in 1798, the castle was used as a hospital, prison and court. It has been carefully renovated since the Seventies.

© Leysin Tourisme, José Crespo - © Musée de la Vigne et du Vin, Christophe Bornand
On the initiative of Confrèrie du Guillon, Aigle Castle, which housed the Confederates' cellars, became the Museum of Vine, Wine and Labels in 1971. It preserves the winegrowing heritage of the Lake Geneva Region and describes the production of wine in the Lake Geneva Region, in Switzerland and in the neighbouring countries. There is also a collection of wine bottle labels from 52 countries from the beginning of the 19th century to 1960. - in: http://www.lake-geneva-region.ch/en/cultureheritage/castels/AigleCastle

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Baux-de-Provence - France

One more french card but this one is from Province. Is not the 1st time I receive this card. Back in 2009 Joaquim sent me a blank card and now Damien sent me a written and stamped one. 

Les Baux-de-Provence is a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department in southern France, in the province of Province. It has a spectacular position in the Alpilles mountains, set atop a rocky outcrop crowned with a ruined castle overlooking the plains to the south.

Photo: PEC -LT
Built in the 10th century, the castle was ruled by the lords of Baux for five hundred years. In the 15th century the lords of Baux were superseded by the barons of the Masons des Comptes de Provence. This was a golden for the castle, before it came under the control of the Kings of France.
From the 16th century on, family feuds and war of religion brought on the decline of the town until the fortress was pulled down in 1633 on the orders of Louis XIII.

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Strasbourg - France

Strasbourg is the capital city of Alsace and the beautiful Kammerzell House is one of the most famous buildings of the city. 
The card was sent by Ara.
Kammerzell House is one of the most ornate and well preserved medieval civil housing buildings in late Gothic architecture in the areas formerly belonging to the Holy Roman Empire.

 Photo © Olivier Anger * Combier Group Editor
Built in 1427 but twice transformed in 1467 and 1589, the building as it is now historically belongs to the German Renaissance but is stylistically still attached to the Rhineland black and white timber-framed style of civil (as opposed to administrative, clerical or noble) architecture.
It is situated on the Place de la Cathédrale, north-west of the Strasbourg Cathedral, with whose rosy colour it contrasts in a picturesque way when seen from the opposite direction.
The building's inside has been decorated on all floors by lavish frescoes by Alsatian painter Léo Schnug (1878-1933). It now houses a restaurant. - in: wikipedia

Colmar - France

Celina, Ara and Rafal have been to Colmar and they all said it is a wonderful town. Looking at these cards, I trully believe them. My must visit list is way too long, Colmar is certainly there. 

 Photos © Olivier Anger * Combier Group Editor
Colmar is a town with many attractions and an undeniable charm all its own including half-timbered houses, flower-decked town centre and the canals,  giving it its reputation of the “Little Venice of Alsace”.

COMBIER Groupe Editor * Photo: ©Ivan Anger
For Georges Duhamel (as he wrote in 1931), Colmar was the "most beautiful town in the world". It has also often been said that it is the most Alsatian town in Alsace! Without going over the top with superlatives, Colmar undoubtedly remains an exceptional town due to the wealth and variety of its historical and architectural heritage.

The capital of central Alsace, situated near Germany and Switzerland between the Vosges and the Rhine, Strasbourg and Mulhouse, the town offers visitors an exciting glimpse of 1000 years of European history. 
Besides, with its 67,000 inhabitants, Colmar retains a 'country town' atmosphere which contributes so much to its charm. Wonderfully preserved from the ravages of time, its homogenous historical centre is classed as a 'protected area' and has benefited from careful restoration and ongoing improvements for more than 20 years. - in: https://www.tourisme-colmar.com/en/discover

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Valência - Spain

Last December Vitória had plans to go to Prague but instead of going to Czech Republic, se went to Valência in Spain. 

Triangle Postales * Foto © Joan M. Linares
The Serranos Towers are considered to be the largest Gothic city gateway in all of Europe, and were constructed at the end of the 14th century by Pere Balaguer as part of the city's fortification. They provisionaly housed prison cells and served as a triumphal arch on many festive and solemn occasions. You can enjoy splendid views of the city and the river Turia from its terraces.
Construction on these large guard towers was finished in 1391. They were once the main entrance to the city in the long-since destroyed wall. From an architectural point of view, they are both pentagon-shaped, connected by a common gallery, and decorated with gothic designs on the borders. On the top there are parapets, and, around the entire structure, you can see the remains of the old moat. - in: http://www.valencia-cityguide.com/tourist-attractions/monuments/torres-de-serranos.html

Ínsua Fort - Portugal

Last month Vitória went to the north of Portugal and visited a few places in the Minho region. One of the places she visited was Caminha, from where she sent me this card with the Ínsua Fort. 

Nunes de Almeida Editores: Postais de Portugal
Ínsua Fort was built in the seventeenth century, under the reign of King John IV to defend the Convent of Santa Maria de Ínsua (built by the Franciscan Order in the century XIV), which is in the main square of the fort, and strengthen the defense of the Portuguese coast during the War of Restoration.
Note also that has a well of fresh water, one of only three in the world located in the sea. The fortress can be visited by the public, and the crossing to Ínsua provided by the Captaincy of the Port of Caminha.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Arte Xávega - Portugal

Both these cards represent a traditional fishing technique still used in a few portuguese beaches, mainly in the Central Region. These cards, sent from Zé and Sofia are from Praia da Vieira and Mira. 

 Fotografia: Oswaldo Santos
The Arte-Xávega dates from the nineteenth century, time when fishermen go out by boat to launch their fishnets into the sea.The fishnets measured about 300 meters, reaching in some cases 600 (in the four paddle boats). The fishnets were made of linen, which made them heavier, requiring many people to transport them to the boat, and particularly pulling them to land. The Xávega demanded a great collective effort.

Fotografia: Oswaldo Santos
Returning from the labor, the fishnets were removed from the sea to the coast, with the help of yoke of oxen, as well as a multitude of men and women who collaborated in this difficult task of pulling the fishnet across the sand and removing from it all the fish. - in: http://www.rotadabairrada.pt/experiencias/arte-xavega-da-praia-da-tocha_en_1230
Nowadays the nets are pulled out from the sea by tractors.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Meeting in Tavira - Portugal

The meeting in Tavira, Algarve, is a much more recent meeting, it took place by the end of last February. Algarve is way too far for me, well, I was on holidays that week but I wasn't in the country, so I missed one more meeting. Paula, Zé, Vitória, Rita and Ninocas didn't miss it and sent me all these nice cards. 

Photo 2011 Nuno Antunes * Design Ventos Maiores
In traditional architecture, color brightens up the houses. The addition of pigments to whitewash help the corners, the friezes, the cornices and bas-reliefs stand out. Such combinations add elegance and harmony to the buildings. 

 © Michael Howard photography * www.mikehowardphoto.com
Grilled sardines are an institution in the Algarve and are traditionally served with the rough farmhouse bread that is unique to the region.
How to eat grilled Sardines the Algarvean way:
1. Place a grilled sardine on a slice of the bread
2. Without using your hands, chew off the meat on one side of the sardine
3. Flip the fish and eat all the meat on the other side, leaving just the skeleton of the fish. (This is an art and takes a lot of practice.)
4. Replace the skeleton with a fresh sardine and continue in this way until all the fish have been consumed
5. Only then do you eat the delicious oil soaked bread! 
This dish is traditionally served with a “mountain salad” of finely chopped tomatoes, green peppers, onions, sprinkled with oregano and served with oil and vinegar dressing. A veritable feast, even if eaten with knife and fork! - in: http://meravista.com/en/algarve/information/fun-stuff/sardine-festivals-in-the-algarve

 Foto © W. Müller * Art & Concept: G. A. Wittich
Manuel Bivar Garden (former Queen Square) in Faro was already a main square during the Christian conquest and it has always maintained its centrality provided for it has always been linked to administration offices and port activities.
Before the 17th century it already had important buildings around it such as the Hospital and Church of Mercy. In the late 19th century it would change its name to Codfish Garden, due to its shape. Throughout the 18th and 19th century the Customs House and Civil Govern (Central Administration office) are built.
With several alteration to its initial surroundings (establishment of a branch of the Bank of Portugal, a fire department, tax offices) this space is considered the city centre, integrating Faro’s Historic Centre.
This tree lined space is especially used in the summer to host some fairs and cultural manifestations. - in: http://cm-faro.pt/preview.aspx?pageID=5879

 © al-garbdistri
Although the bridge itself is not Roman neither has a Roman origin. It was built when Tavira belonged to al-Andalus (the Islamic Domain of Iberia), most probably in the 2nd half of the 12th century. Then, for a few decades Tavira was an independent commune, before being submitted to the Almohade Empire.
The bridge was a fundamental element of the medieval defence of Tavira and its associated main road, limited with towers in both sides. It had houses on it in the Middle Ages. By 1550 it had apparently a movable wooden floor which could be removed by security reasons. The old bridge collapsed in 1655, being then deeply rebuilt in its present form.
The Bridge, once crossed by cars and people, was partially destroyed again by a flood on the 3rd of December 1989, and restored some time later, but now just pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles are allowed. Tavira always managed to maintain its original appearance and yet, evolve in time. - in: http://tavira.algarvetouristguide.com/attractions/the-old-roman-bridge

Foto ©, Art & Concept: Gustav A. Wittich
The Republic Square, located along the river and the old bridge, is the center of Tavira. The Town Hall building is located here. In the center of this square stands the monument to the fighters of the First World War. In the front of the building of the Municipality of Tavira, is the Tourist Office of the Algarve Tourism.

Christmas Meeting - Portugal

I know Christmas was almost 4 months ago but I still didn't have the opportunity to post the cards that Zé and Ninocas sent me. The meeting took place last December in Peniche. 

Paulo Renato da Silva
Remédios cross is located near the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Portuguese for Our Lady of Remedies) Shrine overlooking the ocean.
The cross is built in a lookout from where we can see the Berlengas Islands.
The actual cross is made of concrete, but,the pedestal is made of stone wich makes me believe that there was an older cross made of stone in this place and that cross was probably destroyed by the sea. - in: http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMC8R5_Cruz_dos_Remdios_Peniche_Portugal

Fotografia PostalPortugal
Built by decree of D. João III in 1557 and finished in 1645, it was considered by D. João III the main marine entrance to the PortugueseKingdom. The Peniche Fortress has important features: not only the typical star shaped form, but also the rounded bastion – the first fortification built in the Peniche peninsula – the Sentinel Tower and the Santa Bárbara Chapel.
This stronghold has seen its grounds used in many different ways, according to the needs and historical changes of each period. A military stronghold of vital strategic importance until 1897, it has been a shelter to the Boer refugees from South Africa in the early twentieth century, a residence for the German and Austrian war prisoners during the First World War, a political prison for the Estado Novo between 1934 and 1974, a temporary lodging for Portuguese families coming from the former overseas colonies in 1974, and from 1984 on it receives the Municipal Museum. - in: http://www.cm-peniche.pt/TurismoLocaisVisitar