LT-580238

When I first saw this card I thought it was from Kaunas but it actually is from Jonava. 

LT-580238, sent by Ieva. 

Jonava is the ninth largest city in Lithuania with a population of ca 30,000. It is located in Kaunas County in central Lithuania, 30 km (19 mi) north east of Kaunas. 

The bridge on the card crosses river Neris. 

Landscapes of Dauria - Russia

Landscapes of Dauria is the other russian site added to the WHS list. This site, shared by Russia and Mongolia is one of the habitats of  the near-threatened Pallas Cat. 

Shared between Mongolia and the Russian Federation, this site is an outstanding example of the Daurian Steppe eco-region, which extends from eastern Mongolia into Russian Siberia and northeastern China. Cyclical climate changes, with distinct dry and wet periods lead to a wide diversity of species and ecosystems of global significance. The different types of steppe represented, such as grassland and forest, as well as lakes and wetlands serve as habitats for rare species of fauna (...). - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1448

Assumption Cathedral in Sviyazhsk - Russia

This year Russia added two sites to the UNESCO WHS list. One of them was the Assumption Cathedral and Monastery of the town-island of Sviyazhsk. Thanks to Vera it wasn't difficult to get cards from both sites.

The Assumption Cathedral is located in the town-island of Sviyazhsk and is part of the monastery of the same name. Situated at the confluence of the Volga, the Sviyaga and the Shchuka rivers, at the crossroads of the Silk and Volga routes, Sviyazhsk was founded by Ivan the Terrible in 1551. It was from this outpost that he initiated the conquest of the Kazan Khanate. The Assumption Monastery illustrates in its location and architectural composition the political and missionary programme developed by Tsar Ivan IV to extend the Moscow state. The cathedral’s frescoes are among the rarest examples of Eastern Orthodox mural paintings. - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1525

Ferapontov Monastery - Russia

Beautiful cards of the Ferapontov Monastery in Russia, sent by Natalia, Vera and Alyona. 

The Ensemble of the Ferapontov Monastery is a UNESCO WHS since 2000. 

The Ensemble of Ferrapontov Monastery is situated in the Vologda region, in the north-western part of the Russian Federation on a small hill, between Borodaevskoe and Paskoe lakes, 120 km northwest of the city of Vologda.

The Moscow monk Ferrapont founded the monastery in 1398. The Ensemble of the Monastery was formed in the 15th-17th centuries. The core of the Ensemble is the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin (1490), which is especially remarkable among the six surviving buildings of the Monastery. The others are the Church of the Annunciation, with a refectory chamber, the Treasury Chamber, the St. Martinian Church, the Churches of Epiphany and St. Pherapont above the Holy Gate, and the Bell Tower. In the 19th century the monastery territory was enclosed with a stone fence.

The history of Ferrapontov Monastery was linked with important events at some crucial points during the conformation of the centralized Russian state, such as the approval authority of the first "Emperor of All Russia" Ivan III, the reign of the first Russian tsar Ivan IV and the exile of Patriarch Nikon. In the 15th-16th centuries, Ferrapontov Monastery became a major cultural and ideological centre of the region, and was one of the main monasteries that considerably influenced the policy of Muscovy.

The architecture of the monastery, a remarkable example of the Rostov architectural style, is outstanding in its inventiveness and purity. The buildings of the monastery retained all the characteristic features and interior decoration. The Ensemble of the Ferrapontov Monastery is also a vivid example of the harmonious unity with the natural surrounding landscape that has changed little from the 17th century, emphasizing the unique spiritual system of northern monks, while at the same time revealing features of economic structure of northern peasantry.

The murals of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin have a special significance for Russian culture and other cultures worldwide. The murals of the Cathedral are the only paintings of the greatest Russian master Dionisy the Wise, which have been entirely preserved to this day in their original form. The Ensemble of the Ferrapontov Monastery, with the most valuable and completely preserved frescos of Dionisy, is a unique example of the integrity and unity of the Russian style of the northern monastery ensemble of the 15th-17th centuries. - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/982

FI-3073686

There was a time when most of the officials cards in my mailbox were from Finland, now I hardly get cards, officials I mean, from there. 

FI-3073686, sent by Pasi. 

The church in Lappi was completed in 1760, and it is one of the oldest wooden churches in the region. The church seats approximately 650 people. The bell tower was originally built next to the stone wall of the cemetery, but was moved to the hill in the early 19th century. Lappi is located approximately 20 km from the centre of Rauma. - in: https://www.visitrauma.fi/en/spotcards/lappi-church/

House of Nobility - Finland

Anna-Maria is one of my newest penpals. We met via postcrossing and that means she also likes cards. A few days ago she has been to a meeting in Helsinki with 5 other postcrossers and of course, they signed cards. 

Photographed & published by Pentti Harala Ky, Espoo

From the 12th century until their independence in 1917, Finland was the physical and political battlefield between Sweden and Russia. During this period, Finnish nobility evolved among wealthy landowners who received special privileges, tax relief and titles in exchange for supplying soldiers to the ruler’s cavalry. These noblemen, their families and heirs were registered in the Finnish House of Nobility. Since 1862, this Ritarihuone has been their assembly hall and offices. The neo-gothic building was designed by Georg Theodor Chiewitz. - in: https://www.encirclephotos.com/image/house-of-nobility-in-helsinki-finland/

Danguaire Castle - Ireland

Ireland has many, many castles to visit, so far I've only visited two. Zé Pombal has been to the green island not so long ago. I'm sure he visited a few cards and bought dozens of cards. He tagged me a few weeks ago and sent me this beautiful Dunguaire Castle card, which was one of my favs. 

Photography: Peter Zöeller

Dunguaire Castle has the most picturesque location at the shores of Galway Bay near Kinvara in County Galway. The castle comprises of a 75 foot tower and defensive wall against a stunning backdrop making this castle – the most photographed castle in Ireland!

Dunguaire Castle was built in 1520 by the Hynes Clan who were a prominent family in the area since 662. In the 17th century the castle was passed onto the Martyn clan of Galway who remained in the stonghold until 1924. It was Oliver St. John Gogarty, a well known surgeon and writer who bought and restored the castle and made it a meeting place for literary greats like George Bernard Shaw, Lady Gregory, J.M Synge and W.B. Yeats.

The castle is now in the hands of Shannon Development and is a popular tourist attraction in Galway. - in: https://www.galwaytourism.ie/pDunguaire-Castle.html