Třebíč - Czech Republic

It took me awhile to get a 1st card from Třebíč and now i've a few and I've actually visited the town a couple of years ago.

Třebíč is one of the oldest and most important centers of Jewish settlements. The pictoresque Jewish quarter was anaturally-evolving urban structure, complete with every element typical of a Jewish ghetto .

Photo by Ivan Rillich

Squeezed in between the Christian town and the lord´s estate , maximum use of the available space made further evolution of its buildings impossible. You find here both the dark passages and melancholy streets.
There were built two synagogues the Front one and the Rear one, a town hall, rabbinate, school, hospital, poorhouse and a large cemetery outside of town.

The Jewish community reached its maximum population in 1835 , when the Jews made up a quarter of the town´s population . During the Nazi genocide in 1939-1945 280 people were send to the concentration camps and only 10 persons survived.

In the former Jewish quarter today there are 123 numbered houses aside from the synagogues, from the old original hostoric district only five houses have been lost . It is the best preserved original Jewish quarter in Europa. - in: http://jewish.tourstoprague.com/main/trebic-polna/

Photo by Ivan Rillich

St. Procopius Basilica is a Romanesque-Gothic Christian church in Třebíč, Czech Republic. It was built on the site of the original Virgin Mary's Chapel of the Benedictine monastery in 1240-1280.

Photo by Libor Teplý

The basilica together with the Jewish Quarter in Třebíč were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.
The basilica is the parish church of Třebíč castle, by which it is owned. The basilica is preserved in its original style to this day. - in: wikipedia

Landungsbrücken - Hamburg

"The St. Pauli Landungsbrücken (St. Pauli Landing Bridges), part of the Hamburg Harbour, are in the quarter St. Pauli of Hamburg, between the lower harbor and the Fischmarkt (Fish Market) directly on the Elbe River. 

DE-435832, sent by Lea. 

The Landungsbrücken today are a major tourist attraction and a central transportation hub, with S-Bahn, U-Bahn and boat stations. The eastern end of the building complex is marked by the Pegelturm (water level tower). Halfway up the tower, there is a water level indicator built into the wall, which gives the current condition of the tides.

 © Karten von Künstler René Menges

DE-7308233, sent by Wiebke.

The terminal building, built from volcanic tuff, and the piers were constructed between 1907 and 1909 in the same location as the old Landungsbrücken. It was designed as a representative shipping station by the architectural company of Raabe & Wöhlecke for the department of river and harbor construction of the construction deputation. With its length of 205 m, its numerous gateways to the ships' piers, its domes and towers, it sets a clear structural accent. The architectural sculptures were created by Arthur Bock.

The complex was classified as a historical monument on September 15, 2003." - in: wikipedia

Speicherstadt - Humburg

Both these cards arrived in 2011. Five years later, Speicherstadt (along with Kontorhausviertel and Chilehaus) was classified as UNESCO WHS.
The 1st is a meeting card sent by Claus and the 2nd is was sent by Guilherme.

Speicherstadt (lit. 'warehouse city') is the world's largest complex of warehouses, spanning an area of 260,000 square metres. It was built into the Elbe river between 1883 and the late 1920s on thousands of oak poles as a free economic zone in Hamburg's port. Speicherstadt's beautiful neo-gothic brick architecture makes for an exciting contrast to the modern steel-and-glass constructions of neighbouring HafenCity. 
As of 2015, Speicherstadt (along with Kontorhausviertel and Chilehaus) proudly bears the honour of being Germany’s 40th UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to the Committee, Speicherstadt — with its unique buildings and winding network of streets, canals and bridges — is an 'extraordinary example of representing one or more eras of human history'.

In 1871, the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg became part of the German Empire, yet was able to maintain its own tax and customs regulations for a time. This privilege remained in place until 1881, when a new customs union was installed. From this point on, only the free port area along the Elbe river was exempt from import sales taxes and customs. The final annexation of Hamburg by the German Empire was scheduled for 1888, giving the city seven years to create new storage capacities inside the free port area. Before the construction of the warehouses could begin in 1883, around 24,000 people had to be evicted and around 1,100 houses torn down.          
In 1888, Emperor Wilhelm II inaugurated Speicherstadt on Emperor’s Day, 29 October, although only the first building phase had been completed. Interrupted by World War I, Speicherstadt construction was finished only in 1927. During World War II, Operation Gomorrha destroyed the western part of Speicherstadt. Reconstructions were finalized in 1967. And on 1 January 2013, an era came to a close when the free economic zone of Speicherstadt, which covered almost a fifth of Hamburg’s entire port area, was dissolved.
Today, Speicherstadt is host to an array of leisure activities. - in: https://www.hamburg.com

Palma Cathedral - Spain

Mallorca is not only sun and beaches, there's also some monuments worth to visit, such as Palma de Mallorca Cathedral.

Tullio Gatti Photo Gallery

This emblematic gothic monument has earned different names for obvious reasons: Cathedral of the sea, Cathedral of the space, Cathedral of the light.
La Seu, as the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma is more commonly called, was founded by King James I of Aragon to honour a vow he made to the Virgin Mary after surviving a terrible storm.

Built on the site of an existing Arab mosque, the cathedral is 121 metres long and 55 metres wide and occupies an area of approximately 6.600 m2 . It was designed in French Gothic style with influences of the north European gothic and made from golden limestone from the Santanyi quarries. Large scale but harmonious, its interior features three naves resting on 44-meter tall octagonal pillars, it houses the majestic Royal Chapel , the tombs of Jaime II and Jaime III as well as the tombs of Bishop Antonio Gallina and Clemente VIII.

Postal Plus

It was a project that took an inordinate amount of time to finish, from 1230 to 1601.
The main façade, that fell off during the earthquake in 1851- was completely reconstructed in Neo-Gothic style by Joan Bautista Peyronnet.

The enormous wrought-iron chandelier surmounting the main altar was forged by Antonio Gaudí, who was involved in the restoration works of the cathedral between 1901 and 1914. - in: http://www.best-of-mallorca.com/en/discover-mallorca/art-a-culture/biz/104/la-seu-cathedral-of-santa-maria-of-palma-palma-de-mallorca

Monthly Fav. Surprise RR - April' 20

This month I decided not to join this RR because I'm moving to a new house and I've a new address. I've to confess that I'm not that excited about having a new address and new mailbox. You know you're addicted to Postcrossing when you don't care much about the house but get worried about the size of mailbox and how the change of the address will affect your postcrossing mail. 

These April cards were still received in the address I had for 17 years, June's cards will be received in the new address. 

Foto: Centrum Blomstermala

Fliseryd, Iris hometown, is a small town in southern Sweden. The local wood church dates back to 1808. 

Foto: Stanko Petek

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption in Birnau is a pilgrimage church on the north shore of Lake Constance in the German municipality of Uhldingen-Mühlhofen.

The construction started in 1747 and the church was inaugurated on September 20, 1750.

Card sent by Marei. 

© Fotografie Karl-Heinz Raach

Also from the German state of Baden-Württemberg, Birgit sent this snowy view of Freiburg Münsterplatz, the heart of the city. 

Münsterplatz is a cobblestone square in front of the Freiburg Münster (Cathedral of Freiburg). This quaint churchyard has plenty of colourful buildings, most of which were reconstructed following the end of World War II. Besides the church, the Historical Merchants' Hall and Wentzinger House are some of the many historical buildings within the square. Be sure to watch your step from time to time as the streets of Münsterplatz are lined with bächle, which are open brooks with streaming water. It’s believed that you may end up marrying a local if your feet land into one. - in: https://pt.hoteis.com/go/germany

© 2014, fotografie Ladislav Renner

From Czech Republic, with great stamps, a card of the Vranov nad Dyjí Chateau, sent by Radana.

The chateau lies on the southern border of the Czech state about 110 kilometres from Vienna and is one of the most valuable buildings of the Central European baroque. It was created with the reconstruction of a royal castle first mentioned in 1100. Its current form bears the imprint of the Althanns, who held it for some 100 years from the late 17th century, together with a significant contribution from the imperial architect Johann Bernhard Fischer of Erlach. - in: https://www.zamek-vranov.cz/en

Meetings in São Paulo

If I had to guess, I would say that most of my Postcrossing meetings cards are from Brazil. Is fair to say that Brazilian postcrossers, especially from São Paulo, love meetings.

Even in times of social isolation, meetings continue to take place. Last weekend I participated in a virtual meetings with postcrossers in Portugal, Brazil and Belgium. We only needed zoom, computers and mobile phones. It was super fun and the conversation went on for hours. Only postcards were not signed.

Speaking of postcards, these are from the last meetings in São Paulo. As usual, they were sent by Luzia, Valéria and also Heidi, who traveled to Brazil in February.

Postcrossing logo is a registered trademark. Poscard designed by Luzia

To celebrate the Chinese New Year, some postcrossers gathered in São Paulo on a palindrome day, 02-02-2020.

This year started on the 25th of January and is the Year of the Rat with the metal element. According to Chinese traditions, new opportunities are expected to arrive, goals and professional growth to be achieved.

Because the rat is the first of the 12 animals that make up the Chinese calendar, this represents the year of the beginnings. Therefore, astrologers believe that for anyone who is planning to get married, start a project or invest in something, this is a good time. The rat, in Chinese culture, is considered the bearer of prosperity.

By this time of year, I think it is safe to say that astrologers were completely wrong about this Chinese year.

 Design by freepik & Luzia

A few days after the Chinese New Year meeting, there was another one to meet Heidi from Finland, who travelled to São Paulo to participate in a parabadminton tournament.

Postcrossing logo is a registered trademark. Poscard designed by istock & Paloma Miranda

In mid-March, with the threat of the corona virus a few postcrossers decided not to attend the meeting in Jundiaí. This city in the interior of São Paulo and is known as Terra da Uva, Grapes Land.  Currently, about 30% of the grape production in the state of São Paulo comes from Jundiaí. 

MT-16978

Two years ago I was super excited about my trip to Malta. Everything was booked and confirmed, only needed to pack a few weeks later. Two years after that trip I received my very 1st official card from there, from the cute fishing village of Marsaxlokk. 

Photography: Jonathan M. Beacon

MT-16978, sent by Anne Marie.

Marsaxlokk is a fishing village located in the south-eastern part of Malta which is famous for its big Sunday fish market and its eyed-painted boats called Luzzus. 

Marsaxlokk fishing village is the largest fishing harbour of Malta. It has been so since antiquity and today the greater part of fish sold on the islands are caught by fishermen coming from this village. Traditional luzzu’s and larger fishing vessels line the sheltered harbour in a colourful display that has been the subject of countless photo shoots. - in: https://www.maltauncovered.com/malta-island/marsaxlokk-fishing-village/

RU-7790550

An official from Russia with Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Kazan. 

RU-7790550, sent by Karina.

Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral is one of the most famous churches in Naryshkin Baroque.

It was built between 1723 and 1726 to commemorate Peter the Great’s visit to the city in 1722.

Vaasa - Finland

As we all know, mail around the world is experiencing disruptions. Some countries suspended a few routes and some others have suspended all their international mail operations. Apparently Finland is not sending mail to Portugal but in the last few days I've got 2 cards from there. This one was sent by Heidi.  

Photo: Markku Wiik

The city of Vaasa is located on the west coast of Finland, and it is called the sunny pearl of the Kvarken archipelago. Vaasa is the sunniest city in Finland based on sunny days per year. Vaasa has over 65,000 inhabitants, and it is today the educational, cultural and tourist centre of Western Finland. Also, a significant share of Finland’s energy technological industry is concentrated to the Vaasa region.

The town of Vaasa was founded in 1606 by Charles IX around the oldest harbour and trading point in Ostrobothnia. In 1852, Vaasa was burnt to the ground, and in 1862 the new Vaasa was built on the Klemetsö headland, 7 km from the old town. - in: https://www.univaasa.fi