PT RR * Surprise Group June

These last days the UNESCO Committee chose 2020 and 2021 new World Heritage sites. That's 33 new sites and I've just updated my missing list.

By coincidence, Rita, Mey and António sent me cards from UNESCO sites for this RR. 

Fotografia: Oswaldo Santos

The Chapter Window, at the Convento de Cristo in Tomar, is one of the best-known windows in Portugal and is considered the ultimate expression of Manueline architecture. It has this name because it is located in the building that was once the Chapter House, where the general meetings of friars and knights of the Order of Christ took place. The window was commissioned by D. Manuel I and designed by Diogo de Arruda more 500 years ago.

Foto: Sérgio Ricardo de Freitas

The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos in Congonhas, Minas Gerais, holds one of the largest artistic heritage of Brasil: 12 prophets in soapstone and 66 cedar figures made by Master Antonio Francisco Lisboa, the Aleijadinho. He lived till 1814, and is considered the greatest artist of Minas Gerais.

Declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1985, the Sanctuary was built during the second half of the 18th century and draws attention for its rich art collection. It comprises a central church, with an external staircase holding 12 sculptures of the prophets in actual size, in addition to six other chapels that represent the steps of Christ's Passion.

These chapels house 66 wooden statues, also in natural size, and this group of works is one of the largest and most important collections of sacred sculptures in the world. - in: https://www.visitbrasil.com

Photo: Christian Fehr

Established for the purpose of preserving and promoting actions to disseminate and boost the study of Jorge Amado's work (1912-2001) and of his wife Zélia Gathai (1916-2008), the Fundação Casa de Jorge Amado (House of Jorge Amado Foundation) was inaugurated in 1987. It is headquartered in a colonial building of the nineteenth century, in Largo Pelourinho, and keeps a rich and diverse collection on the life and work of the writer, with a massive photographic archive and more than 400 videos, including adaptations of his works for film and television, reports, interviews and award ceremonies. The author’s collection also contains manuscripts, articles and speeches delivered by him. - in: http://museubrasil.org

UNESCO Missing List

Afghanistan - 0/2
- Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam 2002
- Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley

Algeria - 5/7
- Al Qal'a of Beni Hammad
- Timgad

Angola - 0/1
Mbanza Kongo, Vestiges of the Capital of the former Kingdom of Kongo

Antigua and Barbuda - 0/1
- Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites

Argentina - 6/12

 - Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes (Brazil) 

- Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba 

- Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System 

-  The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement 

- Los Alerces National Park 

- ESMA Museum and Site of Memory – Former Clandestine Center of Detention, Torture and Extermination

 

Azerbaijan - 2/5
Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape

Hyrcanian Forests

Cultural Landscape of Khinalig People and “Köç Yolu” Transhumance Route

Bahrain - 1/3
Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy

Belgium - 11/16
-  The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement
- Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
- Colonies of Benevolence

- Great Spa Towns of Europe

- Funerary and memory sites of the First World War (Western Front)

Benin - 1/3
W-Arly-Pendjari Complex

Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba

Bolivia - 5/7
- Noel Kempff Mercado National Park
. Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System

Bosnia and Herzegovina - 2/4
Stećci Medieval Tombstones Graveyards

Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe

Botswana - 1/2
Tsodilo

Bulgaria - 9/10
Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe

Burkina Faso - 0/3
The Ruins of Loropéni
W-Arly-Pendjari Complex
Ancient ferrous metallurgy sites

Cambodia - 2/4
Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk, Archaeological Site of Ancient Ishanapura

Koh Ker: Archaeological Site of Ancient Lingapura or Chok Gargyar

Cameroon - 0/2
Dja Faunal Reserve
Sangha Trinational

Canada - 20/22

Tr’ondëk-Klondike

Anticosti
 

Cape Verde - 0/1
Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande

Côte d'Ivoire - 0/5
Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve 1981,1982
Taï National Park 1982
Comoé National Park
Historic Town Grand-Bassam

Sudanese style mosques in northern Côte d’Ivoire 

Central African Republic - 1/2
Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park

Chad - 1/2
Lakes of Ounianga

Chile - 4/7
Churches of Chiloé 2000
Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System

Settlement and Artificial Mummification of the Chinchorro Culture in the Arica and Parinacota Region

China - 55/57

Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan

Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er

Colombia - 4/9
Los Katíos National Park 1994
Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox 1995
Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary
Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System
Chiribiquete National Park – “The Maloca of the Jaguar”

Congo - 0/2
Sangha Trinational

Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua

Costa Rica - 1/4
Cocos Island National Park 1997,2002
Area de Conservación Guanacaste
Precolumbian chiefdom settlements with stone spheres of the Diquís

Croatia - 9/10
Stećci Medieval Tombstones Graveyards

Cuba - 8/9
Archaeological Landscape of the First Coffee Plantations in the South-East of Cuba 2000

Czech Republic - 16/17

Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe

Democratic Republic of the Congo - 1/5
Virunga National Park 1979
Garamba National Park 1980 
Salonga National Park 1984
Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Denmark - 8/11
Kujataa Greenland: Norse and Inuit Farming at the Edge of the Ice Cap
Aasivissuit – Nipisat. Inuit Hunting Ground between Ice and Sea

Viking-Age Ring Fortresses

Ecuador - 4/5
Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System

Egypt - 5/7
Abu Mena 1979
Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley)

Eritrea - 0/1
Asmara - A Modernist City of Africa

Ethiopia - 7/11
Lower Valley of the Omo 1980
Konso Cultural Landscape

The Gedeo Cultural Landscape

Bale Mountains National Park

Fiji - 0/1
Levuka Historical Port Town

France - 47/52
Prehistoric Pile dwellings around the Alps
Taputapuātea
French Austral Lands and Seas

Ancient and Primeval Beech Forest of the Carpathians and other Regions of Europe

Funerary and memory sites of the First World War (Western Front)

Gabon - 0/2
Ecosystem and Relict Cultural Landscape of Lopé-Okanda

Ivindo National Park

Gambia - 0/2
James Island and Related Sites
Stone Circles of Senegambia

Germany - 51/52

Jewish-Medieval Heritage of Erfurt

Georgia - 3/4

Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands

Greece - 16/19
- Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos
- Archaeological Site of Philippi

- Zagori Cultural Landscape

Guatemala - 3/4

National Archaeological Park Tak’alik Ab’aj
 

Guinea - 0/1
Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve

Honduras - 1/2
Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve

Iceland - 2/3
Vatnajökull National Park - dynamic nature of fire and ice

 

India - 41/42

Santiniketan 

Indonesia - 9/10

The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks

Iran (Islamic Republic of) - 8/27
Tchogha Zanbil
Takht-e Soleyman
Soltaniyeh
Bisotun
Shushtar, Historical Hydraulic System
Sheikh Safi al-din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble in Ardabil
Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex
 Gonbad-e Qābus
Golestan Palace
Shahr-I Sokhta
Cultural Landscape of Maymand
Susa
The Persian Qanat
Lut Desert
Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region
Hyrcanian Forests

Cultural Landscape of Hawraman/Uramanat 

Trans-Iranian Railway

The Persian Caravanserai

Iraq - 0/6
Hatra
Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat)
Samarra Archaeological City
Erbil Citadel
The Ahwar of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict - Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities
Babylon

Israel - 6/9
Incense Route - Desert Cities in the Negev
 Caves of Maresha and Bet-Guvrin in the Judean Lowlands as a Microcosm of the Land of the Caves
Necropolis of Bet She’arim: A Landmark of Jewish Renewal

Italy - 57/59
Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe

Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines

Jamaica - 0/1
Blue and John Crow Mountains

Japan - 23/25
Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region

Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan

Jordan - 4/6
Baptism Site "Bethany Beyond the Jordan" (Al-Maghatas)

As-Salt - The Place of Tolerance and Urban Hospitality

Kazakhstan - 4/6

 Saryarka - Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan

Cold Winter Deserts of Turan

Kenya - 1/7
Lake Turkana National Parks 1997,2001
Lamu Old Town
The Mijikenda Kaya Forests
Fort Jesus, Mombasa
Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley
Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site

Kyrgyzstan - 0/3
Sulamain-Too Sacred Mountain
Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor
Western Tien-Shan

Korea, Democratic People's Republic of (North Korea) - 0/2
Complex of Koguryo Tombs
Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong

Korea, Republic of (South Korea) - 11/16
Baekje Historic Areas
Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea
Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies

Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats

Gaya Tumuli

Laos - 2/3
Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang – Plain of Jars

Latvia - 1/3
Struve Geodetic Arc

Old town of Kuldīga

Lebanon - 2/6
Byblos 1984
Tyre 1984
Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab)

Rachid Karami International Fair-Tripoli

Lesotho - 0/1
Maloti Drakensberg Tranboundary World Heritage Site

Libyan Arab Jamahiriya - 3/5
Archaeological Site of Cyrene 1982
Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna 1982

Lithuania - 3/5
Struve Geodetic Arc

Modernist Kaunas: Architecture of Optimism, 1919-1939

Macedonia - 1/2
Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe

Madagascar - 0/3
Royal Hill of Ambohimanga 2001
Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve 1990
Rainforests of the Atsinanana

Malawi - 1/2
Chongoni Rock-Art Area

Mali - 0/4
Old Towns of Djenné 1988
Timbuktu 1988
Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons) 1989
Tomb of Askia

Mauritania - 1/2
Banc d'Arguin National Park 1989

Mauritius - 1/2
Aapravasi Ghat

Mexico - 25/35
Historic Centre of Puebla  
Sian Ka'an
El Tajin, Pre-Hispanic City
Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino
Historic Fortified Town of Campeche
Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche
Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro
Archipiélago de Revillagigedo
Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: originary habitat of Mesoamerica

Micronesia - 0/1
Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia

Myanmar - 1/2
Pyu Ancient Cities

Mongolia - 2/6
Petroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai
Great Burkhan Khaldun Mountain and its surrounding sacred landscape
Landscapes of Dauria

Deer Stone Monuments and Related Bronze Age Sites

Mozambique - 0/1
Island of Mozambique

Netherlands - 12/13

Eisinga Planetarium in Franeker

 

New Zealand - 2/3
New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands

Nicaragua - 1/2
Ruins of León Viejo

Niger - 0/3
Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves
W-Arly-Pendjari Complex
Historic Centre of Agadez

Norway - 7/8
Vegaøyan  -- The Vega Archipelago

Oman - 3/4
Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman

Palestine - 1/2
Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir

 
Pakistan - 3/6
Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol 1980
Taxila 1980
Rohtas Fort

Palestine - 1/4
Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town
Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir

Ancient Jericho/Tell es-Sultan

Panama - 2/5
Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo 1980
Darien National Park 1981
Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection

Papua New Guinea - 0/1
Kuk Early Agricultural Site

Paraguay - 0/1
Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue

Peru - 11/13
The Sacred City of Caral-Supel 

Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex

Poland - 16/17

Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe

Republic of Moldova - 0/1
Struve Geodetic Arc

Romania - 7/9
Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe 

Roșia Montană Mining Landscape

Russia - 29/31

Petroglyphs of Lake Onega and the White Sea

Astronomical Observatories of Kazan Federal University 

Rwanda - 0/2

Memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero

Nyungwe National Park

Saudi Arabia - 2/7
Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah
Rock Art in the Hail Region of Saudi Arabia
Al-Ahsa Oasis, an evolving Cultural Landscape

Ḥimā Cultural Area

‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid

Senegal - 1/7
Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary 1981
Niokolo-Koba National Park 1981
Island of Saint-Louis 2000
Stone Circles of Senegambia
Saloum Delta
Bassari Country: Bassari, Fula and Bedik Cultural Landscapes

Serbia - 4/5
Stećci Medieval Tombstones Graveyards

Slovakia - 7/8
Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians

Slovenia - 3/5
Prehistoric Pile dwellings around the Alps
Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe

Solomon Islands - 0/1
East Rennell

South Africa - 5/10
Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Environs 1999,2005
Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape 2003
Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape
ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape
Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains

Spain - 49/50
Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe

 
Sudan - 0/3
Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region
Archaeological Sites of the Island of Meroe
Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island - Marine National Park

Suriname - 2/3

Jodensavanne Archaeological Site: Jodensavanne Settlement and Cassipora Creek Cemetery
 

Sweden - 14/15
Struve Geodetic Arc

Switzerland - 12/13

Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe

Syrian Arab Republic - 5/6
Ancient Villages of Northern Syria

Taijikistan - 1/4
Proto-urban site of Sarazm

Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor

Tugay forests of the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve

Thailand - 4/7
Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries 1991

Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex

The Ancient Town of Si Thep and its Associated Dvaravati Monuments

 

Tunisia - 8/9

Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory

Turkmenistan - 3/5

Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor

Cold Winter Deserts of Turan
 

Turkey - 15/21
Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük
Aphrodisias
Göbekli Tepe 

Arslantepe Mound

Gordion 

Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Medieval Anatolia

Uganda - 1/3
Rwenzori Mountains National Park 1994
Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi 2001

 

Ukraine 

The Historic Centre of Odesa

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - 32/34
Henderson Island 1988

Great Spa Towns of Europe (view of the baths)

United Republic of Tanzania - 4/7
Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara 1981
Selous Game Reserve 1982
Kondoa Rock-Art Sites

Uruguay - 1/3
Fray Bentos Cultural-Industrial Landscape

The work of engineer Eladio Dieste: Church of Atlántida

 

USA - 24/25

Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks

Uzbekistan - 5/7

Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor

Cold Winter Deserts of Turan
 

Vanuatu - 1/1
Chief Roi Mata's Domain (have it but i'd like another card)

Yemen - 2/5
Old City of Sana'a 1986
Historic Town of Zabid

Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib

Zimbabwe - 3/5
Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas 1984
Matobo Hills

US-7486000 & US-7485943

These 2 cards made it to my mailbox after traveling for more than 2 and a half months. They arrived on the same day, in the beginning of this month and were both sent on April 14th. 

US-7486000, sent by Bill.

Besides being the second largest ski resort in the United States, Vail Mountain, in Colorado. is one of the most diverse ski resorts in the world, which is why it’s such a great ski destination. 

US-7485943, sent by Amanda-Jane.

Georgia, the Peach State, had it's date of statehood in January 2, 1788. The capital city is Atlanta and it has a population of 10.310.371. 

Atlanta, Dalton, Rome, Athens, Augusta, Macon, Columbus, Americus, Valdosta and Savannah are some of it's most famous and populous cities. 

The state bird is the brown thrasher and the state flower is the Cherokee rose.

US-7638342 & US-7628614

American lighthouses from Connecticut and Wisconsin.

US-7638342, sent by Jeff.

New London Harbor Light is a lighthouse in Connecticut on the west side of the New London harbor entrance. It is the nation's fifth oldest light station and the seventh oldest U.S. lighthouse. It is both the oldest and the tallest lighthouse in Connecticut and on Long Island Sound, with its tower reaching 90 feet.

The light is visible for 15 miles and consists of three seconds of white light every six seconds. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. It is currently owned and maintained by the New London Maritime Society as part of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act program. - in: wikipedia

© Christopher Arndt Images

US-7628614, sent by Dan.

The Cana Island lighthouse is a lighthouse located just north of Baileys Harbor in Door County, Wisconsin, United States.

Along with the Baileys Harbor Range Lights, the lighthouse was built to replace the Baileys Harbor Lighthouse in 1869 and was first lit in 1870. It is still used as an active navigational aid under the jurisdiction of the United States Coast Guard, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Since the 1970s, both the lighthouse and its keeper's quarters are open for visitors to tour by means of the Door County Maritime Museum. - in: wikipedia

US-7637283

Here it is another example of a card that doesn't match with its ID. Even thought it was sent from USA, the card is actually from Nazareth, Israel. 

US-7637283, sent by Amanda.

The Greek Orthodox Annunciation Church, also known as St. Gabriel Church and Mary's Well Church,  is one of the most beautiful and unique ones in Israel. Following the Easter Christian tradition, this church has many wall paintings, statues and chandeliers. 

This church is the most sacred place for the Greek-Orthodox community in Nazareth, and is built where, according to an ancient tradition, was the annunciation to Virgin Mary from Archangel Gabriel as she came by to draw water from the spring. The church was established during Crusader-Era times in the 12th century, shortly after the Crusaders’ occupation, then was destroyed during the Mamluk Era times by the Mamluk Sultan Baibers in the 13th century, and re-built during the Ottoman Era times in 1750. - in: http://www.nazarethinfo.org

RU-8548260

Russian ID, Russian stamps, Russian sender, Chinese card. i've spent the last 2 weeks thinking this was a russian landscape but i've just google Lake Namtso and turns out this lake is located in Tibet. 

Namtso Lake means 'the holy lake' in the Tibetan language. With over 30km from north to south and over 70km from east to west, Namtso Lake covers a total area of more than 1,900 square kilometers, being the second largest salt lake in China. At an elevation of 4,718 meters, it is also the highest altitude salt lake in the world (...).

RU-8548260, sent by Lyubov.

Along the circle path to the lakeside, you will first see the Yingbin Stone. Countless long plat flags falling down from the top of the hill decorate the stone colorfully. Yingbin Stone consists of two Karst stones, and also called Husband and Wife Stone and is Namco's door-god. According to legend, Namsto is a goddess in charge of the wealth of grassland in northern Tibet, so, when traders go out to do business, they must come here to pray to the door-god, after the consent of the door-god, and then they can worship Namsto Lake, to make sure that the business is booming. - in: https://www.topchinatravel.com.htm

RU-8538553

Inna managed to send me a card with three of my wishes. Unesco - Golden Mountains of Altai ✔; Mountains - Belukha Mountain ✔; Church - Archangel Michael Chapel ✔ This is a perfect card.

RU-8538553, sent by Inna.

I couldn't find information about this beautiful church but inna told me everything I needed to Know. 

Archangel Michael Chapel is located at the foot of Belukha Mountain, on the banks of river Ak-kem. It was erected in memory of the rescuers, climbers and tourists who died in Gorny Altai. 

Vitebsk - Belarus

The Church of St. Barbara is a Catholic church in Vitebsk a city in Belarus.

The card was in my favs wall and it was sent by Tanya.

The church was built as a cemetery in 1785. In the years 1884–1885 was rebuilt in neo-Romanesque style by architect Victor Junosza-Piotrowski (including the construction of two towers).

It was closed in the 1930s in the era of the Soviet Union, and during World War II was partially destroyed. In the years after the war in the temple he had various uses. In 1990 it was returned to the Catholic faithful, and between 1991 and 1998 was renewed. In 1993, he was consecrated again. Between 1999 and 2011, the church served as the cathedral of the new diocese of Vitebsk. - in: wikipedia

FOTW San Marino

Today is Postcrossing 16th anniversary!! 16 years bringing joy into our mailboxes ☺Well, not today. Still no cards in my mailbox this week. I didn't get any cards but I chose and wrote a few and I'm also showing cards to celebrate this date, starting with a surprise.

Before getting this card, I only had 3 cards from San Marino and I never thought I would ever get a written and stamped card from there but here it is. New FOTW and many stamps on the back, most of them Europa from the 80's. Eric really put some extra effort on this card and I do appreciate that. However, I bet he never thought the card it would take 7 months to get it. He mailed it on December 2020, according to the postmarks it was only sent on June 1st and I got it 2 weeks ago. 

Great surprise and addition to my collection. Thank you so much Eric.

www.postcardsmarket.com

San Marino has an area of 61.2 km², a population of 33.285 and its capital is City of San Marino.

Unique: 

* Guaita - Cesta - Montale - the three flowers of San Marino are located on the peeks of Mount Titano and are depicted on the coat of arms;

* The Capitains Regent - are the head of the state elected every six months by the Grand and General Council  the country's parliament.

Famous:

* The Oldest Extant Sovereign State - San Marino claims to be the oldest extant sovereign state as well as the oldest constitutional republic;

* The Historic Center and Mount Titano - are part of the UNESCo World Heritage List.

History:

* 3 September 301 - on that date Saint Marinus founded San Marino where he built a small church;

* 8 October 1600 - Constitution of San Marino - first legal document which mention San Marino's institutional organs.

DE-10602766

From a semi-desert landscape in Spain to this lush and green view of river Saar in the German state of Saarland. Great view and card!!

© Schöning GmbH & Co, KG * Foto: imago/imageBROKER

DE-10602766, sent by Martin.

In the southwestern region of Germany, situated along the river Saar, Saarschleife is the spot where the river turns spectacularly – an almost unbelievable hairpin turn. The river travels nearly a distance of 10 kilometres and makes the U-turn to just fall short of 2 kilometres from its initial spot.

The most famous sight of Saarland is Saarschleife. It is located at a distance of 60 kilometres towards the northwest of Saarbrücken. The loop begins just before the country town of Merziger near to its district of Besseringen and ends in Mettlach, The way to the ‘Loop of the Saar’ can also be found along the A620 and A8 roads. - in: https://ilikegermany.com

US-7640026

 Last wednesday I've received 7 official cards from USA, some of them sent in April. However, not all of them were actually from USA, this one, for example, is from Spain. When I saw the card I thought it was from one of the many american national parks, maybe from the Badlands N. P. but as there isn't any information about this place on the card, I google the image and this is after all the Castildetierra, a geological formation in Bardenas Reales Natural Park in the south east of Navarre.

Classified as a World Biosphere Reserve, Bardenas Reales impresses with its semi-desert landscapes, forged by water, wind and sun.

the lazy panda postcard company

US-7640026, sent by Alison.

Divided into two types of scenery, Bardena Blanca and Bardena Negra, the nature reserve features stunning contrasts. On one hand, the casts and clays of an almost-lunar landscape form Bardena Blanca, with its characteristic ravines and summits topped by enormous stones, known locally as heads, like the Castildetierra, the Friar and the Cortinillas. On the other, is the greener Bardena Negra, whose Aleppo pine forests. - in: https://www.spain.info

Monthly Fav. Surprise RR * June '21

 Two of my sent cards for June's RR are still travelling but I've already got the cards I was supposed to get. They came from USA. Czech Republic and Austria.

Photo: Clint Farlinger

The state of Minnesota, where Sandra lives, is known as the Land of 10.000 Lakes but, in fact, the state has even more than 10.000. Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources counts anything 10 acres or more as a lake. By that definition, Minnesota has 11,842 lakes. 

By Telegramme Paper Co

This is the 1st time I get a card from this collection/set and I'm still trying to figure out weather I like it or not. I don't immediately dislike it but I'm not sure if that's my kind of card. It was sent by Barbara. 

Acadia National Park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and a rich cultural heritage. At 3.5 million visits a year, it's one of the top 10 most-visited national parks in the United States. in: https://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm

Foto: Daniel Sloup 2008

Radana always seems to take some time to check and send me something from my favs. This time she sent a card of the Spanish Synagogue in Prague. I visited it a few years ago. It was my 1st time visiting a synagogue and I didn't know what to expect but I certainly didn't except it to be so beautiful. I can really understand why is it considered as the most beautiful synagogue in Europe. 

Built in 1868, the Spanish Synagogue is the most recent synagogue in the Prague Jewish Town.

It was called the Spanish Synagogue for its impressive Moorish interior design, influenced by the famous Alhambra. - in: https://www.jewishmuseum.czogue/

Foto: B. Reinhart

I've never been to Salzburg but Mozart's hometown is high on my must visit list. This view of the Old Town with its churches and Hahensalzburg Fortress, might have something to do with that. It can only be better if covered in snow. 

The Old Town of Salzburg (also called Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg or simply Altstadt) is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. It comprises of a Medieval and Baroque ensemble of buildings that is unique in the world and draws millions of visitors every year. Legally, the Old Town is a district of Salzburg and building activities are strictly regulated in order to preserve the ancient buildings. - in: http://salzburg-visit.com

The cards was sent by Josi.

Monthly Fav. Surprise RR * May '21

Except for the Tybee Island lighthouse, I've been to the all other places depict on these cards. 

Photo by Steve ?

Ordered by General James Oglethorpe, Governor of the 13th colony, in 1732, the Tybee Lighthouse has been guiding mariners safe entrance into the Savannah River for over 270 years. The Tybee Island Light Station is Georgia's oldest and tallest lighthouse and one of America’s most intact having all of its historic support buildings on its five-acre site. Rebuilt several times the current light station displays its 1916 day mark with 178 stairs and a First Order Fresnel lens (nine feet tall). - in: https://tybeeisland.com

This nice card was sent by Pixie.

Infografia: Pere Vivas

Blanca sent me a card from the future. I've been to Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, twice and I've many, many cards of the basilica. However this is the 1st one showing how it will look like when the project is finally complete. 

Sagrada Familia was slated for completion in 2026, the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudi’s (the original architect) death. However, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project is going to miss that completion date. Construction was halted back in early March of 2020 when Spain went into a national lockdown and more recently again in October. No new completion date has been provided.

 copyright copy orange oy

Helsinki's Cathedral is a Lutheran Evangelical Cathedral and the city's main postcard. The neoclassical-style cathedral was built between 1830-1852 to honor Tsar Nicholas I of Russia and designed by architect Carl Ludvig Engel. 

The card was sent by Heli.

© 2017 KV&H Verlag GmbH * Foto © getty images/shutterstock

I've already lost count of how many cards I've from Kinderdijk but I don't mind getting new ones. This one was sent by Martina.

The windmills at Kinderdijk are one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Netherlands.

Even though the mills at Kinderdijk were replaced by steam-powered, then diesel and electric water pumps, they are still kept in good working order and can be put into action any time, either for show or in case of power failure.

This was exactly the case during WWII when diesel shortages forced locals to return to wind power to keep their feet dry. Today the sails can sometimes be seen turning on national and regional Mills Days (Molendagen). - in: https://www.culturalcruiseseurope.com