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

RU-10400097

 Barnaul is one of Siberia’s major cities and the capital of Altai Krai.

 

RU-10400097, sent by Irina. 

The white church is the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, consecrated in 2007. The other church, Church of the Icon of the Mother of God, is also a new church, build in the XXI century.

Jewish-Medieval Heritage of Erfurt - Germany

 This isn't my 1st card from Erfurt but it is the 1st showing one of the three monuments in the city classified as UNESCO WHS in 2023. The Old Synagogue, the Mikveh, and the Stone House illustrate the life of the local Jewish community and its coexistence with a Christian majority in Central Europe during the Middle Ages, between the end of the 11th and the mid-14th century. 

The Jewish-Medieval Heritage of Erfurt was the only German site I was still missing. Thanks to Svenja, I've all the sites now, at least until the next meeting of the committee.

 

Bilder: Stadtverwaltung Erfurt / Norman Hera / Ulrich kneise / Marcel Krummrich

The Old Synagogue, with parts dating from the 11th century, is the oldest synagogue in Central Europe that has been preserved up to its roof. In 2009 an extraordinary museum and space was created here, in which medieval reminders of the Erfurt Jewish community can be viewed. Together with the documentation of the building history of the synagogue itself it provides an insight into the life of the Erfurt community, which in the Middle Ages held a prominent position in Europe.
The exhibition in the Old Synagogue shows the history of the first Jewish community in Erfurt. In the courtyard gravestones of the destroyed medieval cemetery can be seen. The building history of the synagogue is the subject on the ground floor. The cellar houses the treasure found near the synagogue, which a Jew buried during the pogrom of 1349. - in: https://juedisches-leben.erfurt.de

DE-15095432

These last weeks I've been thinking about my summer trip and when checking flight options, I saw a decent price flights to Hannover. Honestly, I don't know much about the city but it's location seemed great to explore other places nearby. But you know how flight prices are, when I checked again, it was already more expensive and I ended up booking a flight to a different place. 

 © Schöning Verlag

DE-15095432, sent by Natalie.

Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony. 

Hannover's New City Hall, is a city hall and was opened on July 20, 1913, after having been under construction for 12 years. It is a magnificent, castle-like building of the era of William II in eclectic style at the southern edge of the inner city (outside of the historic city center of Hannover). The building is embedded in the 10 hectare Maschpark.

PT RR - Surprise Group * February 25

 PT RR February's cards.

 

Eric found this postcard at a flea market. I also like going to these fairs, every now and then you find some nice cards. Sintra is one of our main tourist attractions and has been classified as a World Heritage Site since 1995. The UNESCO website says:

 In the 19th century Sintra became the first centre of European Romantic architecture. Ferdinand II turned a ruined monastery into a castle where this new sensitivity was displayed in the use of Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance elements and in the creation of a park blending local and exotic species of trees. Other fine dwellings, built along the same lines in the surrounding serra , created a unique combination of parks and gardens which influenced the development of landscape architecture throughout Europe. - in: https://whc.unesco.org

 

I've been to Alcácer do Sal but I don't remember seeing this sanctuary. The card was sent by Celeste. 

The Sanctuary of the Lord of the Martyrs, in Alcácer do Sal, is one of the oldest Christian temples in the country. Construction began in the 13th century by the Knights of Santiago at the time of the Reconquista, then it was expanded and enlarged in the 14th century and transformed from the 16th century onwards.

 Pedro sent a card of a palace-museum in Vigo, Spain.

 Located in the 17th-century Castrelos pazo, the museum is surrounded by beautiful gardens with 19th-century fountains and ponds.
Work began on the construction of this palace in 1670. It is one of Vigo's most beautiful buildings. The building was restored at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. It is currently home to the Quiñones de León Municipal Museum, where you can see an exhibition of archaeological remains found in the city and surrounding areas, as well as an interesting collection of paintings from Galicia. The manor house is situated in Castrelos Park, beautiful surroundings that include stunning French-style gardens - a must-see for visitors. - in: https://www.spain.info

PT RR - Surprise Group * January 25

 It's not that I don't have any postcards to show, I just haven't felt like doing so. Today laziness has been overcome and here are the 3 postcards of the RR in Portuguese that I received in January.

 

This was the first postcard that Catarina has ever sent me and she didn't choose badly at all. I confess that I don't know much about Vila Flor and I only have 2 or 3 postcards from there. 

Located in Serra do Facho, between Vila Flor and Roios, on the Senhora da Lapa hill, this is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the municipality, affectionately nicknamed “Capelinhas”. It consists of a bandstand and 9 chapels, from different periods and types of construction. The chapel dedicated to Santa Marinha is the oldest and the chapel of Senhora da Lapa was built in 1760.

 

Tiago had already sent me a postcard of a water carrier transporting/selling water, here we have several water carriers collecting water from a well.

With this postcard, Celeste told me about the Convento dos Cardaes in Lisbon, a place I'd never heard about before.

The 17th century building is a jewel in the city, on its own right. It survived the 1755 earthquake and is one of the few pre-Pombaline structures in existence today. It houses a significant collection of sacred and decorative arts, preserved over the centuries by devoted sisters. The pride and joy of the Convent is, nevertheless, the social work initiated in the XIX century and still well alive in the presente day: the caring of women with special needs, such as blindness, who call the Convent their home and family. - in: https://www.conventodoscardaes.com

US-11090513

 Look how beautiful this card!! It is not only beautiful but also special, it is my official card #2000. It traveled 6,267 km, all the way from South Carolina and it took 13 days to get here. Even tough it was sent from South Carolina, the card depicts a wonderful landscape in the other side of the country.

 

US-11090513, sent by Rose.

The view that Ansel Adams made famous, Tunnel View is a must stop for any first time visit to Yosemite Valley.
Tunnel View provides one of the most famous views of Yosemite Valley, showcasing the immensity of the granite walls that surround Yosemite Valley and providing a classic view of El Capitan, Half Dome, Sentinel Rock, Cathedral Rocks, and Bridalveil Fall. It is spectacular at sunset or after the clearing of a storm. 

US-11073925

 Oakland is a city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area in the U.S. state of California.

 

 Photo by Chris Gilbert

US-11073925, sent by Jennifer.

Designed by renowned architect Welton Beckett as Henry J. Kaiser's 28-story world headquarters and personal residence, the Kaiser Tower was completed in 1960. Today, the building stands as a masterpiece of contemporary, mid-century modern architecture providing tenants with a first class, full service business environment. The Tower features modern materials and a distinctive, curved architectural design; its broad window lines provide spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay and skyline, beautiful Lake Merritt, and the Oakland hills. - in: https://kaisercenter.com/

BY-3271012

I don't dislike this postcard, although I not a big fan of the size, the vegetable stamps are cute but apart from the address, the date and the postcard ID, Olga didn't write anything else on the postcard!! I always have so much to write.

 

BY-3271012, sent by Olga.

Trinity Suburb is an old picturesque part of Minsk located on the bank of the Svisloch River in the city center. Its cozy little streets and houses, with tile roofs and delicate colors, have become a symbol of Minsk. Their image can be often seen on souvenirs and candy.
Many houses in this part of Minsk are considered to be architectural landmarks though people still dwell in many of them. - in: https://www.belarus.by

Cathedral of the Holy Spirit - Minsk

Not much has been happening on this blog. I haven't had much time, I just received a few cards these last weeks and I don't always like them. A few days ago, some official postcards arrived, including the first of these postcards of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Minsk. The 2nd card is also an official postcard, with the same church, received in 2019.

 BY-3271011, sent by Kamila. 

One of the most visible churches in Minsk, with its central location overlooking the Svisloch river in the historic Upper Town, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit is the most important Russian Orthodox church in the city.

 

BY-2417108, sent by Kate.

Its origins date back to the 17th century when the building served as a Catholic Bernardine monastery. After several devastating fires and a conversion to Orthodoxy, the church was expanded and renovated, though the monastery was closed in 1922. The church's holiest icon is the image of the Mother of God, which is said to have been found by Minsk residents in 1500.

Pannonhalma Abbey - Hungary

There are eight World Heritage Sites in Hungary. The Millenary Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma and its Natural Environment were added to the WHS list in 1996. 

Both these cards have been sent by Joanna. 

The monastery of the Benedictine Order at Pannonhalma was founded in 996 in Western Hungary and had a major role in the diffusion of Christianity in medieval Central Europe. The monastery shows a stratification of different architectural styles and various buildings.

 

Among these buildings: a school (the first ever school founded in the country), the monastic complex – home to the monks whose life is still based on St. Benedict’s Rule ‘Ora et labora’ -, the tourist welcome points and hospitality facilities, the Chapel of Our Lady, the Millennium Chapel and the botanical and herbal gardens.
The monastery’s library also preserves the oldest surviving document in Hungarian language, the Charter of the Tihany Benedictine Abbey, dating back to 1055. The surrounding area, covered by forests with rare and protected floral species and home to many songbirds, complements in an aesthetic way the man-made millenary monastery.

 

The Archabbey of Pannonhalma and its environment (...) are the living testimony of the thousand-year history of the Benedictine monastery, who has become a place of education, culture, ecumenism and encounter. The community of monks still functions today and sustains with continuous dedication one of the living centres of European culture. -in: https://www.comece.eu

Buda Castle - Hungary

Hungary must be one of the European countries from which I receive the least postcards. It was a bit of a surprise to receive an official card from there last week., only my 3rd offcial from this country. 

When I received my 1st cards from Budapest back in 2007, I I was far from imagining that 11 years later I would visit Budapest and see these views. The city is one of the cities that I would like to visit again. 

 

The Castle District stands as one of the capital's most significant historical and cultural hubs. Perched 70 meters above the Danube on the Castle Hill, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Since the 13th century, Buda Castle has served as the residence of Hungarian kings. The strategically defensible Buda Castle Hill has seen a succession of rulers from Hungarian monarchs to Turkish, Habsburg, German, and Soviet hands, each leaving behind a tapestry of captivating and diverse tales. 

 

HU-229655, sent by Maria.

Buda Castle is one of the most iconic landmarks in Hungarian history, with its distinctive dome visible from afar atop Castle Hill. Over the centuries, this palace has been rebuilt and expanded multiple times, serving not only as a royal residence but also as the backdrop for significant historical events.
During the Ottoman occupation, the castle was almost entirely destroyed, but Habsburg rulers made efforts to restore it to its original splendor. However, World War II once again inflicted severe damage. In the second half of the 20th century, an extensive restoration brought the castle back to life. Today, the complex thrives as a modern cultural hub.

Within Buda Castle, visitors will find the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum, the Saint Stephen’s Hall, and the National Széchényi Library. The terrace in front of the palace offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Hungarian capital. - in: https://www.budapestinfo.hu

's-Hertogenbosch - Netherlands

's-Hertogenbosch, also called Den Bosch, is te capital of the North-Brabant province, located in the south of the country, 80 km's from Amsterdam.

 

Den Bosch is famous for its medieval city centre, with its beautiful icon the Gothic St. Janskathedraal, its unique tunnel canals and its many attractive old streets. Den Bosch is also known as the birthplace of famous Dutch renaissance artist, Hieronymus Bosch.

 

Sint-Janskathedraal, St. John's Cathedral, is the largest cathedral in the Netherlands and one of Brabant's four official Top Monuments. 

 

NL-5907585, sent by Brigitte.
The construction is thought to have started in 1220, on orders of Duke Henry I, and was finished in 1340. It has since been rebuilt several times after being destroyed by fires, wars and various other disasters. Despite these setbacks, St. John’s Cathedral still stands strong today as a captivating symbol of Dutch medieval architecture.

NL-4160749, sent by Annelies.

The interior consists of towering stained glass windows depicting biblical stories as well as intricately carved tombs that date back centuries ago which make it truly awe-inspiring to explore! 

 

 NL-308023, sent by Linda.

 Hidden below the old city is a canal network called the Binnendieze that once spanned 22 kilometres. It started out as a regular river, the Dommel, running through the city in medieval times but due to lack of space in the city, people started building their houses and roads over the river. In later times it functioned as a sewer and fell into disrepair. In recent decades, the remaining sixth of the old waterway system has been renovated, and it is possible to take several guided subterranean boat trips through it." - in: wikipedia