Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - UAE

Ara spent her last holidays in UAE. Abu Dhabi was one of the emirates she visited and this card is from there. It shows the world famous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the third largest mosque in the world. 

The 2nd card was sent by Claus a couple of years ago.

www.mevcreative.com

The mosque was named after the founder and first President of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He chose the location and took substantial influence on the architecture and the design of the mosque. Based on his vision, the mosque was built with the rise of 11 metres above sea level, and 9.5 metres above the street level so that it is clearly visible from all directions.

It is built as a monument to consolidate Islamic culture and a prominent centre for Islamic sciences.

According to his wish, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is also the last resting place of its name giver, who passed away in 2004.

Photo by Nicole Lüttecke

As per the direction of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the mosque is located in the heart of the new Abu Dhabi between Musaffah Bridge and Maqta Bridge. The construction of AED 2.5 billion-project began in the late 1996. Approximately 38 contracting companies and about 3,500 workers helped realising the complex over a period of almost 12 years.

On the 20th of December 2007, the mosque was initially opened to the public and prayers. The first prayer was held in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. - in: https://www.abudhabi.ae/portal/public/en/citizens/culture_and_recreation/cultural_and_historical_sites/gen_info20?docName=ADEGP_DF_104596_EN&_adf.ctrl-state=5wx4l7vax_4&_afrLoop=19241414289521547#!

Dead Sea - Israel

The other card sent by Debora was this one from the Dead Sea. 

The Dead Sea is a salt lake bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west. Its surface and shores are 429 metres (1,407 ft) below sea level, Earth's lowest elevation on land. The Dead Sea is 304 m (997 ft) deep, the deepest hypersaline lake in the world. With 34.2% salinity (in 2011), it is also one of the world's saltiest bodies of water.

© Published by Palphoto Ltd * Photography by Garo Nalbandian

 It is 9.6 times as salty as the ocean. This salinity makes for a harsh environment in which animals cannot flourish, hence its name. The Dead Sea is 50 kilometres (31 mi) long and 15 kilometres (9 mi) wide at its widest point. It lies in the Jordan Rift Valley and its main tributary is the Jordan River.

The Dead Sea has attracted visitors from around the Mediterranean basin for thousands of years. In the Bible, it is a place of refuge for King David. It was one of the world's first health resorts (for Herod the Great), and it has been the supplier of a wide variety of products, from asphalt for Egyptian mummification to potash for fertilizers. People also use the salt and the minerals from the Dead Sea to create cosmetics and herbal sachets.

The Dead Sea water has a density of 1.24 kg/litre, which makes swimming similar to floating. - in: wikipedia

Capernaum - Israel

Cards from Israel are a rare sight in my mailbox and I only have a few in my collection. Last week I got two sent by Debora. This one is from Capernaum, currently an archeological site known as the Town of Jesus. 

Situated on the banks of the Sea of Galilee, the town of Capernaum remained a large (in ancient terms) and prominent city, holding some 1,500 residents, for over nine centuries until its mysterious evacuation in the 7th century AD.

Though no longer a functioning town, Capernaum's importance in modern times is based on its rich history in antiquity and its multiple mentioning in the New Testament. Most notably, Capernaum is believed to have been Jesus' home and the center of his ministry after leaving his birth town of Nazareth. Reference to Capernaum as Jesus' home and the place where He performed many of His miracles is made in the Gospel of Matthew, where it is said that Jesus was approached by a Roman officer who asked Him to heal his servant when the latter fell ill. Jesus' ability to cure the feverish servant serves, to this day, as a reminder of His ability to work miracles. In the Gospel of Luke too, the town of Capernaum is mentioned several times with regard to Jesus prophetic abilities. According to Luke, in the town of Capernaum Jesus healed a man who was possessed by the devil, as well as curing Peter's sickly mother in law.

Capernaum is mentioned twice more in the New Testament, once as the home of Peter, Andrew, James and John, as well as the dwelling place of Matthew the tax collector. The second time Capernaum is referred to is as one of the three cities damned by Jesus for its inhabitants' wrong doings and lack of faith in God.

For all its importance in Jesus' life and His ministry, Capernaum is a destination not to be missed when on a Christian tour to Israel.

© Published by Palphoto Ltd * Photography by S. Mendrea

Of particular interest in Capernaum are the ruins of the ancient synagogue. Though there is no finite knowledge of the time this synagogue was built, archeologist estimate that it dates back to the 1st century AD.

It was the Roman officer who asked Jesus to heal his servant that is credited with building the synagogue as a token of good faith and gratitude to Jesus for his miracle work. Liturgical documents indicate that Jesus held regular sermons in this synagogue, most notably the famed sermon on the Bread of Life (John 6: 35-59).

Of this ancient synagogue, only the western wall remained in tact. It has been the foundation for a later synagogue built on the same grounds some three centuries later.

The ruins seen in Capernaum today are of the later synagogue, which stands out from the rest, much humbler, huts and small stone houses in the city. With white bricks making up its external walls and intricately painted stucco covering its internal walls, the synagogue must have been quite lavish when in use. The excavations carried out by the Franciscans have also uncovered four distinctly separate halls, making the synagogue big enough to seat all the town's inhabitants. - in: http://www.tourstotheholyland.com/christian-travel-guide/places-in-the-holy-land/capernaum.aspx

Istanbul - Turkey

Ana has been to Turkey in August, Damien has been there in November and I haven't been there but someday I want to visit this country too. 

© Copyright Ipekyolu Turistik Yayinlan - Her Hakki Mahfuzdur

Many visitors to İstanbul never make it out of Sultanahmet, which is not a surprise because this neighbourhood is a showcase of the city's glorious past, crammed with mosques, palaces, churches and houses dating from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods. On the card is possible to see the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Cistern Basilica. 

Ephesus - Turkey

Ephesus, an ancient city in the turkish İzmir Province, was one of the last sites to be added to the UNESCO WHS and it was also one of the last to me added to my collection. Last August Ana visited this site and couldn't decided which of these cards she would send me so she sent both!! Both are great, thank you so much.

Located within what was once the estuary of the River Kaystros, Ephesus comprises successive Hellenistic and Roman settlements founded on new locations, which followed the coastline as it retreated westward. Excavations have revealed grand monuments of the Roman Imperial period including the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre.

 The Ancient City of Ephesus is an outstanding example of a Roman port city, with sea channel and harbour basin. - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1018

 © Copyright by KESKIN COLOR KARTPOSTALCILIK A. S.

The Great Theatre was built on the foot of Panayir mountain and its façade faced the Harbour street, in the first century AD and later on it was renovated by several Roman Emperors. It is considered to be the most imposing and the most impressive structure of Ephesus city. It could host up to 25,000 spectators.

Apart from the theatrical plays and the music performances that took place in the theatre, political and religious events were carried out in it as well. Among the most important of them is the conflict between Christians and the followers of Artemis during which Saint Paul was judged and sent to prison as he was accused of hurting Artemis.

The Great Theatre of Ephesus was destroyed due to an earthquake in the 4th century AD and only a part of it was repaired. In the 8th century AD it had been incorporated into the defense system of the city. - in: http://www.ephesus.ws/the-great-theatre-of-ephesus.html

www.guneykartpostal.com

The Library was built by Gaius Julius Aquila to honor his father Julius Celsus Polemaenus, General Governor of the roman province of Asia, in 135 AD, designed by the architect Vitruoya. It was one of the largest libraries of the ancient world and it could host more than 12,000 scrolls. Celsus died when he was 70 years old and hw was buried in a marble sarcophagus in a cellar under an arched ceiling under the ground floor of the Library. It can be accessed through some stairs and then a narrow corridor which leads to the sarcophagus that has been adorned with nice sculptures.

There were nine steps leading to the entrance of the library which consisted of three large doors. The thick columns between the doors had been adorned with statues depicting the Wisdom, the Knowledge, the Intelligence and the Fortune.

The library was burnt during the 3rd century by the Goths who attacked Ephesus. Fortunately, a great part of its façade was not damaged seriously, so it has survived nowadays in a pretty good condition. - in: http://www.ephesus.ws/the-library-of-celsus-ephesus.html

Salzburg - Austria

 Another beautiful view, this one from Austria's 4th largest city, Salzburg.
The 1st card was sent by Ara and the 2nd by "maeusefan".

Salzburg's "Old Town" (Altstadt) is internationally renowned for its baroque architecture and is one of the best-preserved city centers north of the Alps. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. 

Salzburg was the birthplace of 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the mid‑20th century, the city was the setting for the musical play and film The Sound of Music. - in: wikipedia

© Edition Murenwald bei Colorama * Bild: Hans-Jörg Murenwald

Anyone who has wandered around the older parts of Salzburg will tell you that the historical area of the town is divided into two parts – the right bank and left bank of the city. The left bank of the River Salzach is the older of the two, some of the earliest evidence of settlements dating back to Roman times. Those wishing to go from one side of the city to the other can cross one of the numerous bridges that connect up the old part of town along the river: Nonntaler Brücke, Mozartsteg, Staatsbrücke, Makartsteg and Müllnersteg.

As well as enjoying a fantastic location on the banks of the river, the historic section of the city is also blessed with the charm of the verdant hills at the heart of the town, such as Mönchsberg Hill, from which Fortress Hohensalzburg watches over activities below. In just a few minutes visitors to Salzburg can enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding postcard scenery from these hills.

The old part of Salzburg is home to a variety of architectural styles and treasures, protected not least by a number of conservation directives. Tucked away out of clear view, a stroll along the lanes, alleys and passageways can reveal buildings dating back to the medieval, romantic, renaissance and baroque periods, as well as the sophisticated, classical architecture of the homes belonging to the monarchy. There is hardly an epoch of historical note that has not left its mark within the city. - in: http://www.salzburg.info/en/sights/world_cultural_heritage

Špičnik - Slovenia

I got this lovely card thanks to Ivana. Although this is a very well known view in Slovenia, there was no identification of its location on the card but it was easy to discover it. This very romantic heart-shaped road meanders through the vineyards on the sunny slopes of Špičnik near Svečina, in the north of the country. 

Foto: © Tomo Jesenicnik

The region attracts many wine loves due to the vineyards, mostly producing white wines but also hikers and cyclists because of the hiking and biking trails on the surrounding hills dotted with endless vineyards.