Prague - Czech Republic

 I'm on holidays and I'm about to pack for my trip to Czech Republic. I'm finally visiting this beautiful country again, 11 years after my 1st visit. That 1st visit in 2014 is still one of my favorites trips so far. I can't wait to visit Prague again and some new places aswell. 

This card of Novy Svet, of the most romantic Prague streets, was sent by Heidi. 

 

Located just a few steps from the crowded Loretanska Square, it is hard to believe that you are still in the capital city.

Houses which we can see here today were built mostly in the 17th and 18th centuries. Residents of Novy Svet were not very wealthy people. We can guess it looking at their small and simply decorated houses. Therefore they look even more attractive now.
The residents tried to compensate for the modesty of their houses by giving them pompous names. Almost all houses have the word "golden" in their names: The Golden Sun, The Golden Pheasant, The Golden Lamb. And many famous people lived in Novy Svet. For example, Tycho Brahe, Danish astronomer, lived in the house №76/1. Santini family owned a house The Golden Acorn (№79/1). Jan Blazej Santini is one of the most famous baroque architects in the Czech republic. - in: https://www.guide-prague.org

AT-795873

 Baden didn't mean anything to me but Baden bei Wien rang the bell. After reading the unofficial name of the city, I knew immediately that this was a card from one of the Spa Towns of Europe, classified as UNESCO site in 2021. 

Baden bei Wien is a spa town in Austria. It serves as the capital of Baden District in the state of Lower Austria.

AT-795873, sent by Heinrich.

The church St. Stephan is a Catholic church in Baden in Lower Austria. The official name is Stadtpfarrkirche St. Stephan. The present building began in Gothic style in the 15th century. It was remodeled Baroque in the 17th century, and an attempt made to restore Gothic features from 1880.
The church has a notable organ, played by Mozart and probably also Beethoven. Mozart's motet Ave verum corpus was premiered in St. Stephan in 1791. The church is a registered monument and an active parish church. - in: https://www.smart-guide.org

IT-801491

 It's always a pleasure to get official cards from Italy, especially when they're this beautiful. 

On this view from South Tyrol province, in northern Italy, we can see the small town of Longomoso with the earth pyramids on the letf and the Maria Saal Church on the center.

 

IT-801491, sent by Sabrina.

Near Longomoso, as in many other places on the Renon valley, stand impressive Earth Pyramids. These particular formations, located in the Rio Fosco Gorge, have a pinkish-red hue. The bizarre columns of easily eroded rock, protected by capstones, are a unique natural monument.

Denali National Park - USA

Denali National Park is Alaska’s most popular land attraction—and with good reason. You can see some of Alaska’s most famous sights. See Mt. Denali and the continent’s highest peaks in the Alaska Range; experience A vast, unspoiled wilderness of braided glacial rivers, massive peaks, and tundra and lots of wildlife viewing opportunities: You have the chance to see moose, caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep, and wolves (...). - in: https://www.alaska.org

US-11326427, sent by Megan.

The park was established as Mt. McKinley National Park on Feb. 26, 1917. The original park was designated a wilderness area, the first national park created specifically to protect wildlife, and incorporated into Denali National Park and Preserve in 1980. The park was designated an international biosphere reserve in 1976. - in: https://www.nationalparks.org

Photo © M. Niemar

 

 US-2124932, sent by Jesse.

 Mt. Denali, formerly Mt. McKinley, is North America's highest mountain, and is contained within Denali National Park.

Before a gold prospector named the mountain "Mount McKinley" in support of then-presidential candidate William McKinley in 1896, the Koyukon people, who inhabit the area around the mountain, had called it "Deenali" for centuries. However, "Mount McKinley" was the official name recognized by the United States government from 1917 until 2015.

US-9492543, sent by David.

In August 2015, at the insistence of the Alaskan government, the US Department of the Interior announced the change of the official name to Denali. Before that, most Alaskans already referred to the mountain as Denali.

Las Vegas Strip - USA

 Las Vegas is one of the most famous cities in USA but I only have these 3 cards from there. It seems that postcards are not sold in the city's casinos and hotels. These 2 hotels and the ferris wheel are all located on the Strip, a 6.8 km long stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard, known for its concentration of resort hotels and casinos. 

 Many of the largest hotel, casino, and resort properties in the world are on the Strip, known for its contemporary architecture, lights, and wide variety of attractions. Its hotels, casinos, restaurants, residential high-rises, entertainment offerings, and skyline have established the Strip as one of the most popular and iconic tourist destinations in the world and is one of the driving forces for Las Vegas's economy. - in: wikipedia

 

Design & Photography: Gunnar Kullenberg / Eurostyle Graphics

US-10575326, sent by Patrick.

The Venetian Las Vegas is a luxury hotel and casino resort on the Las Vegas Strip. It is owned by Vici Properties and operated by Apollo Global Management.
The Venetian is themed after Venice during the 1400s and 1500s and it features numerous landmarks from the city. The exterior entrance along the Las Vegas Strip is modeled on the Doge's Palace and includes a recreation of the Rialto Bridge. It also features a 315-foot-high replica of St Mark's Campanile, topped by a statue depicting Gabriel. The Venetian includes a replica of Venice's Grand Canal that goes through the resort's interior and exterior.
The Venetian includes a 120,000 sq ft (11,000 m2) casino and opened with 3,036 suites in a 35-story tower. A 12-story tower, the Venezia, was completed in 2003, bringing the room count to 4,049.

The resort includes its own meeting space, as well as the adjoining Venetian Expo. The property also includes the Grand Canal Shoppes, and was home to the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum from 2001 to 2008. The Venetian has several performance venues, which have hosted entertainment such as the Blue Man Group (2005–2012), Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular (2006–2012), and Human Nature (2013–2020). A sphere-shaped venue and arena, known as simply Sphere, opened in September 2023. - in: wikipedia

 

 © RTSI

 

US-5185955, sent by Juan.
Excalibur Hotel and Casino is a hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada.
It is owned and operated by MGM Resorts International.
Excalibur, named for the mythical sword of King Arthur, uses the Medieval theme in several ways. Its facade is a stylized image of a castle.
The 100,000-square-foot (9,300 m2) gaming area at Excalibur consists of both table games and over 1,200 slot machines. In addition to casino space, the Excalibur resort includes a renovated pool area, a 13,000-square-foot (1,200 m2) spa and fitness center, eight restaurants and a food court, the Chapel at Excalibur, and the Octane Lounge & The Lounge with live music on the weekends.
Excalibur is home to three permanent shows: the all-male revue Thunder From Down Under, The Australian Bee Gees Show, a tribute to the Bee Gees and the medieval themed dinner show Tournament of Kings. - in: wikipedia 

Clayton Ham Photograpy

Located at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, The High Roller is the largest observation wheel in the United States with 28 transparent pods holding 40 passengers each. - in: https://www.vegas.com

This card was sent by Marie who has been to the city to see family. 

US-11325398

Route 66, also known as the "Mother Road," is a historic highway in the United States that stretches from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, covering approximately 2,448 miles (3918 kms). Established in 1926, it was a crucial route for travel and trade, particularly during the Dust Bowl era and World War II. While no longer a federal highway, Route 66 continues to hold significant cultural and historical importance, representing American adventure and freedom.

 

US-11325398, sent by Cathy.

The original Route 66 ran from Chicago to Santa Monica, traversing eight states (Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California).
The highway was decommissioned as a federal highway in 1985, but many sections remain, some marked as "Historic Route 66".
While the original road has been replaced by interstates in many places, many sections of Route 66 are still drivable and can be experienced as part of a road trip.
Route 66 played a vital role in American history, facilitating migration, trade, and the growth of the automobile industry.
It became a symbol of the American Dream, featured in literature, music, and film, solidifying its place in popular culture.  - in: AI

BY-3314388

 This house in Minsk isn't just a house, it is a house museum and is the only example of the wooden architecture of the late 19th century in the city center.

 

BY-3314388, sent by Natallia.

The House Museum of First Congress of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party is the oldest operating museum in Minsk and Belarus: its history dates back to 1923. For almost half a century the museum was the most visited museum of the Belarusian capital. - in: https://minsktime.com

FI-4798544

Wonderful official card from Finland. 

Ingå and it's beautiful medieval church are located in the  southern coast of Finland. The patron saint of the current medieval stone church is Saint Nicholas and is owned by the evangelical-lutheran parish of Ingå.

 

Photo: Taneli Eskola 1989

FI-4798544, sent by Risto.

The oldest parts of grey stone church date back to the 15th century. It was built in three periods: the first part probably in 1430s, second maybe in the later half of 15th century and latest in 1510s. The roof was destroyed by lightning in 1623 and the bell tower was built beside 1739-1740. - in: https://www.spottinghistory.com

GB-1856594

 I'm always happy to get cards of religious buildings. 

Hexham Abbey is a Grade I listed church dedicated to St Andrew, in the town of Hexham, Northumberland, in the North East of England.

 

Photography by Simon Fraser

GB-1856594, sent by Mary.

Originally built in AD 674, the Abbey was built up during the 12th century into its current form, with additions around the turn of the 20th century. Since the dissolution of the monasteries in 1537, the Abbey has been the parish church of Hexham. In 2014 the Abbey regained ownership of its former monastic buildings, which had been used as Hexham magistrates' court, and subsequently developed them into a permanent exhibition and visitor centre, telling the story of the Abbey's history. - in: wikipedia

Tyne Cot Cemetery - Belgium

 Pretty but so sad. 

Tyne Cot Cemetery is the burial ground for the dead of World War I in the Ypres Salient on the Western Front. With its 11,956 graves, it is the largest cemetery for Commonwealth forces in the world, for any war.  It is is located 9 Kms north-east of Ieper town centre, Belgium. 

This cemetery is one of the 27 cemeteries and monuments of the First World War (Western Front)  inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2023. 

The card was sent by Gerda.

 

 2009 Steve Douglas

 Tyne Cot it is a silent witness to the bloody Battle of Passchendaele. During the British offensive of 1917, almost 600,000 victims fell in 100 days for a territorial gain of only eight kilometres.

‘Tyne Cot’ was originally a German defence position on the first line in Flanders. In October 1917, the Australian troops established an aid station there that soon grew into a small cemetery with 340 graves for the soldiers who had succumbed to their injuries on the spot. After the war – between 1919 and 1921 – the British ‘Exhumation Companies’ collected 12,000 dead from the surrounding battlefields. Of these, only 3,800 bodies could be identified.

The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and inaugurated in 1927. - in: https://passchendaele.be

DE-15383055

 Gifhorn in Lower Saxony,  is home to the International Wind- and Watermill Museum, which contains a comprehensive collection and working replicas of the world's most common windmills. 

With 13 large mills spread across the museum grounds and more than 50 models in the exhibition building, the museum offers a fascinating insight into the rich history of milling technology and a unique cultural heritage. - in: https://www.muehlen-museum-gifhorn.de

 

DE-15383055, sent by Barbara.

The Lady Devorgilla mill is not located on the museum site itself, but within eyeshot of the museum on a lake on the edge of the town centre.
It is a replica of a Scottish windmill on Corbey Hill and dates to 1790. - in: wikipedia

Lake Constance - Germany

 Lake Constance in southern Germany is one of the largest lakes in Central Europe. Crossing the borders of three countries, it boasts clear waters, charming lakeside towns and historic landmarks.

As a holiday area, the Lake Constance region offers a unique blend of natural beauty, historic charm and cultural experiences.
The major part of the Lake Constance shoreline is in Germany, but there are sections of the lake in Austria and Switzerland. It is around 63 kilometres long and 14 kilometres wide.

 

© Schöning GmbH & Co. KG

 

 DE-9119260, sent by Anne.

The lake is divided into two sections. Upper Lake Constance (Obersee) is the eastern end of the lake and is the area most people would think of as 'Lake Constance'. Lower Lake Constance (Untersee) is the part to the west of Konstanz before the river Rhine flows out of the lake.
Incidentally, Lake Constance is known as the Bodensee in German. If you are a little confused about the names Constance and Konstanz, these probably come from one of the later Roman Emperors who controlled this region. - in: https://www.germansights.com

 

© Schöning GmbH & Co. KG

DE-15386997, sent by Kerstin.

There are plenty of small towns and villages along the German shoreline of the lake, such us Lindau; Friedrichshafen; Konstanz and Überlingen.

Alicante - Spain

I know nothing about Alicante but this card, sent by Óscar, made me google about it. 

Located in the heart of the Costa Blanca, Alicante is one of the most important tourist destinations on the east coast of Spain. The many golf courses and the calm waters of the Mediterranean are just some of the attractions offered by this beautiful port city located at the foot of the Castle of Santa Barbara (...).

 

Foto: Hans Hansen * Triangle Postals

The location on Monte Benacantil gives the castle great strategic value. It acquired its name because Prince Alfonso de Castilla took it from the Islamic forces on St. Barbara's day. In the time of Philip II the castle was remodelled. Over the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, the castle was bombarded many times. It was opened to the public in 1963, and the same year the two lifts inside the mountain were opened. The castle was divided into three areas: the Torreta, including the former Keep; the intermediate area with the most important apartments, including the Hall of Philip II, the parade ground, etc.; and the lower area, built in the 18th century, including the Revellín del Bon Repós. - in: https://www.spain.info

Rocha do Navio - Madeira

 At the beginning of this month I visited Madeira again. It was my 6th visit to the island and like the other times, I went to places I had already been to and went to others for the first time. I had been to Santana a few times before but I had never been to the Rocha do Navio viewpoint. I didn't take the cable car but I loved the scenery and really enjoyed going there.

 Located in the municipality of Santana, on the north coast of the island of Madeira, the Rocha do Navio viewpoint offers a panoramic view over the deep Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding coastal region.

 

Objecto Anónimo, Lda

The landscape of this place is marked by the presence of the Ilhéu da Viúva, which stands out for its maximum altitude of 94 metres. It is a place with a valuable botanical heritage, part of the Natura 2000 Network, where the characteristic plants of the Macaronesian cliffs and some species exclusive to this archipelago stand out.
The Rocha do Navio viewpoint, through a steep pathway in the rock, leads to the Rocha do Navio Natural Reserve, a name that derives from the shipwreck, in the 19th century, of a Dutch boat. Being exclusively marine, this reserve is delimited between Ponta do Clérigo and Ponta de São Jorge, also including the aforementioned Ilhéu da Viúva and the Ilhéu da Rocha das Vinhas.
This protected area, which can also be reached by cable car, is of great recreational but also scientific value, given the natural heritage preserved here. The Rocha do Navio viewpoint is the ideal place to be peacefully surrounded by Madeira's natural beauty. - in: https://visitmadeira.com

Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino - Mexico

 This big whale is a grey-whale, which found in the lagoons of El Vizcaino, the perfect place to reproduce. This whale sanctuary, a UNESCO site since 1993, is actually recognized as the World's most important place for the reproduction of the once endangered Eastern subpopulation of the North Pacific Grey Whale. The protection of these winter breeding grounds has been paramount in the remarkable recovery of this species after near-extinction as a result of commercial whaling, including in these very lagoons.

This site is new in my collection and the card was sent from Germany by Svenja. 

 

Getty images/Bruce Shafer

The Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino is a serial property on the Pacific Coast of the central part of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula. It comprises two coastal lagoons, Laguna Ojo de Liebre and Laguna San Ignacio, and their surroundings (...).
The total extent of the two components of the property is of 370,950 hectares, embedded in the much larger El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve, Mexico's largest protected area (...).
The lagoons are home to numerous other marine mammals, such as Bottlenose Dolphin, California Sea Lion and Harbor Seal and four species of the endangered marine turtle. - in: https://whc.unesco.org

Lauca National Park - Chile

I haven't received any cards from Chile in more than 10 years, so when Carolina asked me if we could swap, I immediately said yes. This card is from Lauca National Park, in northern Chile but the card was sent from Easter Island.

 

Lauca National Park has 137.883 hectares protected by its Reserve of the Biosphere status. The park has different attractions like its fauna, topography and flora, found in precordillera between 3200 and 3800 meters above sea level. It has a typical fauna, with more than 100 bird species. Among the animals you can find there are alpacas, llamas, guanacos, vicuñas, pumas, tarucas, vizcachas, foxes, blanquillo, ñandus, puna partridges, huairavo, guallata, Chilean flamenco, the giant tagua, juarjal, puna and jergon duck, and condors. In the National Park it is possible to find amazing volcanoes that are 6,000 meters above sea level, like the Parinacota, Pomerape and Acotando Volcanoes. You can also see lava rivers. There is varied flora in ravines and slopes with Guacara, queñoa, perrito, tola, puscaya, tola supu and chilca forests. Above the 3800 meters, there are plains with exotic flora. The Lauca and Lluta Rivers are part of the park, as well as the Cotacotani Lagoons and the Chungara Lake. - in: https://www.visitchile.com

FOTW Bosnia and Herzegovina

 Sometimes the mailbox is empty for several days in a row and sometimes a simple card makes up for all those empty days. This one was a surprise from Eric. It is not only a new FOTW in my collection but also, if i'm not mistaken, the 2nd written and stamped card from Bosnia.

 

www.postcardsmarket.com

Bosnia and Herzegovina has an area of 51.197 km², a population of 3.531.159 and its capital is Sarajevo. 

Unique: 

* Perucica - one of the last preserved primeval forest in Europe (in Sutjeska National Park). This forest is considered to be around 20.000 years old; 

* Stecci - Middle Age tombstones. Mysteries of the Bosnian History, classified as UNESCO WHS since 2016; 

 Famous:  

* Ivo Andric - won the Nobel Prize of Literature for his novel "The Brigde on the Drina";

* Old Bridge in Mostar  - National Symbol. Built in the 16th century, it was destroyed in 1993 and reconstructed, rebuilt and opened in 2004; 

History: 

* First King - 1353 - 1377 - Tvrtko I of the Kotromanić Dynasty;

* Austro-Hungarian Rule - 1878 - 1919 - 28 June 1914, assassination of crown prince Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo;

* Independence - Bosnian war 1992-1995.

Toledo - Spain

I've been to Toledo many, many years ago and I don't remember much of the city. It is on my list of places to visit again. 

The 1st of these cards was sent by Heidi and the others were probably bought by me when I visited the city. 

 

 

Toledo is truly one of Spain's most magnificent cities. Dramatically sited atop a gorge overlooking the Río Tajo, it was known as the ‘city of three cultures’ in the Middle Ages, a place where – legend has it – Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities peacefully coexisted. Unsurprisingly, rediscovering the vestiges of this unique cultural synthesis remains modern Toledo’s most compelling attraction. Horseshoe-arched mosques, Sephardic synagogues and one of Spain’s finest Gothic cathedrals cram into its dense historical core. But the layers go much deeper. Further sleuthing will reveal Visigothic and Roman roots. - in: https://www.lonelyplanet.com

 

"Toledo is a municipality located 70 km south of Madrid. It is the capital of the province of Toledo and of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage as one of the former capitals of the Spanish Empire and place of coexistence of Christian, Jewish and Moorish cultures.

The Puente de San Martín (English: San Martin Bridge) is a medieval bridge across the river Tajo in Toledo. The bridge was constructed in the late 14th century by archbishop Pedro Tenorio to provide access to the old town from the west, complementing the older Puente de Alcántara linking to the east. Both sides of the bridge were heavily fortified with towers, the more recent dating from the 16th century.
The Puente de San Martín features five arches, with the largest in the middle reaching an impressive span length of 40 m. Only very few bridges in the world had reached that mark until then.

The Cathedral of Toledo was built between 1226-1493 and modeled after the Bourges Cathedral, though it also combines some characteristics of the Mudejar style. It is remarkable for its incorporation of light and features the Baroque altar called El Transparente, several stories high, with fantastic figures of stucco, paintings, bronze castings, and multiple colors of marble, a masterpiece of medieval mixed media by Narciso Tomé topped by the daily effect for just a few minutes of a shaft of light from which this feature of the cathedral derives its name." - in: wikipedia

Monthly Fav. Surprise RR - Feb. 25

 Look how beautiful these cards are!!

 

© Schöning Verlag

Located in the middle of Saxon Switzerland and not far from (...) Dresden, the fortress Königstein is enthroned. The mountain fortress, first mentioned in 1241, already housed a monastery, a fortress, a pleasure palace, a state prison, a prisoner of war camp and a youth workshop. Today, the fortress offers a breathtaking panoramic view and a variety of exhibitions. Visitors can also admire the first Saxon garrison church (1676), the deepest fountain in Saxony at 152. 5 metres and the oldest preserved barracks in Germany at 433 years. But also the 1. 7 kilometre long panoramic trail with a view over the Elbe valley and the Elbe sandstone mountains guarantee a unique experience. - in: https://visitsaxony.com

Card sent by Moni.

Marianne checked my favs wall and was so kind to send me the wonderful card. I'd love to see this lovely snowy landscape. 

Seefeld in Tyrol is a former farming village, now a large tourist resort, in the Innsbruck-Land District in the Austrian state of Tyrol.
The Seekirchl - also Heiligkreuzkirche - is probably Seefeld's most famous landmark. Under the regency of Archduke Leopold V, construction was underway in 1629, but the elaborate sacred edifice was not completed until 1666, a full 37 years later. Originally, the baroque Seekirchl stood in the middle of the artificially created cross lake created by Duke Sigismund the Coin Rich in the 15th century, which, however, was drained about 300 years ago after 1808. To this day, the picturesque Votivkirche in Kirchwald is a historic place of pilgrimage (a miraculous late Gothic crucifix) and probably the most popular postcard and photo motif in the region. - in: https://www.seefeld.com

 

 Photo: Jonathan Mortenson

Looking at this card, sent by Nan, it is easy to understand why Nubble Light is one of the most popular and photographed lighthouses in Maine. 

 Also known as the Cape Neddick Light Station, this iconic lighthouse stands as a testament to Maine’s rich maritime history and continues to shine as a symbol of resilience and beauty against the rugged backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
Nubble Light was first illuminated on July 1, 1879, with a fourth-order Fresnel lens guiding ships along the rocky coast. Its location on Nubble Island, just a few hundred feet from the mainland, made it a crucial navigational aid for ships approaching the York Harbor. Over the years, the lighthouse underwent several upgrades, including the installation of a more powerful light and fog signal, ensuring the safety of vessels navigating the treacherous waters.
Its classic New England design, with its white clapboard tower and red roof, against the backdrop of the deep blue sea, evokes a sense of timeless beauty and charm. The lighthouse is still active, operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, and its light continues to guide mariners along the coast. - in: https://newenglandecoadventures.com

I've recently added traditional houses to my postcard wishlist. Tomoko sent me this one with a traditional Japanese tea house.

Sekka-tei is a traditional tea house situated within the serene grounds of Kinkaku-ji, the iconic Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, Japan. This tea house is a fine example of Japanese architecture and is used for traditional tea ceremonies. It offers visitors a glimpse into the cultural heritage of Japan, with its simple yet elegant design that complements the surrounding natural beauty. The tea house is part of the larger temple complex, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting visitors from around the world. - in: https://mindtrip.ai