An official from Neverin, a village in the german state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
This is a water tower built about 140 years ago to provide fresh water to the village. Today is empty and became the symbol of Neverin.
Monday, March 12, 2018
Saturday, March 10, 2018
Brandenburg Gate - Germany
Just like the Memorial Church, the Brandenburg Gate is also a symbol for peace, unity and reconciliation in Berlin.
The Brandenburg Gate is one of Berlin's most important monuments – a landmark and symbol all in one with over two hundred years of history. A former symbol of the divided city, it drew visitors who used to climb an observation platform in order to get a glimpse of the world behind the Iron Curtain, on the other side of the barren "death-strip" which separated East from West Berlin, geographically and politically. It was here that on June 12, 1987, Ronald Regan issued his stern command to his cold war adversary admonishing him with the words: "Mr. Gorbachov – tear down this wall!". The speech delivered to West Berliners was also audible on the east side of the Gate and echoed President von Weizsacker’s words which translate as: "The German question is open as long as the Brandenburg Gate is closed."
DE-814052, sent by Gabriela.
When Germany was reunified following the fall of the Berlin in November 1989 Brandenburg Gate quickly reinvented itself into the New Berlin's symbol of unity. It was officially opened to traffic on December 22, 1989 and 100,000 people came to celebrate the occasion. Unfortunately this also resulted in severe damage to the monument which needed to be restored and was only officially reopened on October 3, 2002.
Photo by G. Schneider
DE-1872833, sent by Silke.
The Brandenburg Gate was erected between 1788 and 1791 according to designs by Carl Gotthard Langhans whose vision was inspired by the Propylaea in Athens' Acropolis. Prussian sovereign Friedrich Wilhelm II was looking for a suitable architectural statement to enhance the approach into the Boulevard Unter den Linden. The classical sandstone work is one of the masterpieces of this era and is the only surviving one of 18 previous city portals. The Quadriga, a sculpture representing the Goddess of Victory, by Johann Gottfried Schadow which can be spotted from a long distance was erected on the Gate in 1793. From 1806 to 1814 the statue was held captive in France as a Napoleonic trophy during the years of France and Prussia's military rivalry for imperial domination. During WWII Brandenburg Gate was damaged but not destroyed by allied bombing. - in: https://www.berlin.de/en/attractions-and-sights/3560266-3104052-brandenburg-gate.en.html
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church - Germany
I finally got cards again シ This week I've received a few, most of them officials. The 1st of these Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church cards is one of them.
The Gedächtniskirche (Memorial Church) is the most famous landmark in the western city centre and is one of Berlin’s most important churches – but at the same time much more than just that. It is composed of the ruins of the church that was destroyed in the war, as well a modern church building. It is a memorial for peace and reconciliation, commemorates Berliners’ determination to rebuild after the war, and is a place of contemplation.
Foto: G. Schneider
DE-7005531, sent by Michael.
In honour of Wilhelm I, the first German Kaiser, his grandson Wilhelm II planned a magnificent church, which was built by Franz Schwechten between 1891 and 1895 in the Neo-Romantic style. With five spires, the bombastic design reflected the tastes of the time and that of the Kaiser.
The church bells were the second biggest in Germany after Cologne, and when the church was inaugurated, the five bells rang so loudly that the wolves in the zoo started howling. During the Second World War, the chimes stopped and the five bells were melted down for munitions.
Air raids in 1943 damaged the church so badly that the top of the main spire broke off and the roof collapsed. At the end of the war, the Allies were unwilling to rebuild it, since it had been a symbol of excessive national pride. The ruin stood as a constant reminder to Berliners of the horrors of war. In 1956, plans to completely demolish the church and build a new one led to angry public protests. As a compromise, the architect Egon Eiermann integrated the ruin in his design for the new church. The present church was completed between 1959 and 1961. The design consists of concrete honeycomb elements with stained glass inlays. Inside the octagonal nave, the stained glass produces a rich blue light and an atmosphere of meditative calm. The memorial hall in the old spire is now a memorial against war and destruction and a symbol of reconciliation. It also contains a crucifix made of nails from the burnt roof timbers of Coventry Cathedral, which was almost completely destroyed by bombs in 1940. The crosses of nails from Coventry, which are also in Dresden, Hiroshima and Volgograd, are a symbol of reconciliation. - in: https://www.visitberlin.de/en/kaiser-wilhelm-memorial-church
Monday, March 5, 2018
PT RR - Surprise Group * February
It's official, I don't have any new postcards to show. It's almost two weeks without postcards in my mailbox, I do not know how it's possible but it's happening and I'm hating it. Maybe tomorrow?! I hope...
Last month's surprise postcards were sent by Tiago, Inês Brito and Ana. Lina also sent a postcard, the same Leninha sent from the meeting with Luzia last year.
© Michael Howard Photography * www.mikehowardphoto.com
The beach of Praia do Monte Clérigo is set towards the north-western corner of the Algarve, which makes it a very different place to the well known spots on the south coast. The Algarve's west coast has a fairly wild feel about it characterised by wide sandy beaches facing into the full force of the Atlantic Ocean. Set in the Vicentine Coast Natural Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty, this beach has been well protected from the slightest hint of over-development. - in: https://www.travel-in-portugal.com/beaches/praia-de-monte-clerigo.htm
Foto: Ana Maria Abrão
With more than a thousand years of existence, Silves Castle is one of the most remarkable works of military architecture that the Arabs left in Portugal.
The Benedictine abbey of Jumièges, in the Seine-Maritime department in Normandy, was founded in 654 by St. Philibert. The ruins of this Romanesque abbey are among the most beautiful ruins in all of France.
Built during the life of William the Conqueror, it was partially destroyed after the French Revolution, when much of the church and adjacent buildings were used as a quarry. Only the western façade with twin towers, the nave, and small parts of the transept, lantern tower and choir have survived.
PT RR - Surprise Group * January
Joana had this great idea of opening surprise groups in the Portuguese RR and after 2 months, the groups seems to be a success. I already participated in January and February's groups, and today I started writing the postcards to send this month.
In January I received postcards from Joana, José, Inês Barbosa and Sofia.
The first bridge over the Garonne River at Bordeaux, the Pont de pierre was planned and designed during the First French Empire, under the orders of Napoleon I, but its construction took place during the Bourbon Restoration, from 1819 to 1822.
It has 17 arches (the number of letters in the name 'Napoléon Bonaparte'). On the sides, each pile of bricks is capped by a white medallion in honour of the emperor. - in: wikipedia
Without all those deputies and ministers, the interior of the Assembly of the Republic is so much more beautiful.
On the back of the postcard: The Assembly of the Republic is the representative assembly of all Portuguese citizens and is currently composed of 230 deputies. It is located in a historical building in Lisbon, referred to as Palácio de São Bento (Palace of Saint Benedict) a former Benedictine monastery dating from the 16th century. The Palácio de São Bento has been the seat of the Portuguese parliaments since 1834 (Cortes until 1910, Congress from 1911 to 1926 and National Assembly from 1933 to 1974).
Foto: José Luís Jones
The Chapel of São Sebastião de Almeirim in Castro Verde is a small rural chapel dating from the 17th century that until the 19th century was called the Chapel of São Sebastião das Bicadas. Inside, there is a mural painting dating from the second half of the 18th century.
São Paio de Gramanços is a village in the county of Oliveira do Hospital that I had never heard of. It was there that Sofia's father was born and where we can see the Chapel of Our Lady of Miracles, built around 1850.
Lake Tekapo - New Zealand
I don't have many cards from New Zealand. The 1st of the these Lake Tekapo cards was one of my 1st from there and it was sent by Adrienne almost 11 years ago!!! Time really flies fast with postcrossing.
Photo by: Andrew Fear
AU-194220, sent by Aijing.
On the shores on the lake you'll see the beautiful Church of the Good Shepherd, where the altar window frames a perfect view of the Southern Alps beyond the lake. The church was built in 1935 for the pioneer families of the Mackenzie district and is still used as a place of worship. The church is a popular photo spot for visitors. - in: https://www.newzealand.com/sg/lake-tekapo/
Thursday, March 1, 2018
Porta de Santiago - Malaysia
I'm running out of cards to show here and the last time I got a new one was more than a week ago. For a postcrosser, not getting a single card in a week, is a nightmare.
Not many new cards to show so I'm bringing back to the spotlight a few older ones.
The 1st of these cards is an official and the other was sent by SLLiew.
The Porta De Santiago (A Famosa) is one of the most popular sites in Malacca. It is a major historical landmark and is probably the most photographed structure in Malacca. The fort of Porta De Santiago (A Famosa) is one of the oldest surviving European architectural remains in the whole of Asia. This tiny gate which we call A Famosa or Porta de Santiago is the last remains of what used to be a mighty fortress.
Porta De Santiago (A Famosa) which translates to 'The Famous' in Portuguese is one of the few oldest surviving remnants of European architecture in the whole of Asia. It was built in 1511 under the command of Alfonso de Albuquerque. The fortress was built to consolidate their gains in Malacca after they defeated the armies of the Malacca Sultanate. At that time, the Portuguese believed that Malacca would someday become a vital port which links Portugal to the spice trade from China. The Porta De Santiago (A Famosa) that we see today was once made up of long ramparts and four major towers. One of the towers was a four-storey keep while the other housed the residence of the captain, officers' quarters and an ammunition storage room. The fort changed hands in 1641 when the Dutch successfully drove the Portuguese out of Malacca.
MY-60396, sent by Shyann.
After the Dutch got their hands on the A Famosa, they placed their company logo, the 'VOC' coat of arms about the gates of Porta De Santiago (A Famosa). 'VOC' is the abbreviation of Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie.
Even today,if you look at the Porta de Santiago, you can still see the VOC coat of arms on the shield carried by the soldier on the right side of the logo. The Dutch then handed the fort over to the British in the early 19th century. The English, being wary of maintaining the fort gave orders to the British Governor of Pahang to demolish it. The fort was saved by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1810 as he stopped the demolishing and saved what we see today. - in: http://malacca.attractionsinmalaysia.com/Porte-De-Santiago.php
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