Churches in Valladolid - Spain

I've been to Valladolid once with two postcrossing friends. Unfortunately we couldn't find any cards, I think it was siesta time and the stores were closed. Now I finally have nice cards from there. 

© FISA - ESCUDO DE ORO, S. A.

Magdalena Church was ordered to rebuild in 1566 by Don Pedro de la Gasca, Viceroy of Peru and Bishop of Palencia and Sigüenza, as a funeral pantheon. The church was designed by Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón and built by Francisco del Río. It has a single and spacious nave with a headboard under starry ribbed vaults and an altarpiece, the work of Esteban Jordán, who also made the tomb, carved in alabaster, of the Bishop Founder.

The main Renaissance facade, flanked by a tower, is presided over by the image of Mary Magdalene and the monumental noble shield of its promoter.

Foto: Constantino * © FISA - ESCUDO DE ORO, S. A.

The Church of Santa María de La Antigua, founded by Count Ansúrez in the 11th century, is a temple that stands out for its elegance and beauty and is one of the best known symbols of Valladolid.

La Antigua has undergone numerous modifications over the years, which have only added to its charm. From the XIII century it preserves the Romanesque style tower and portico.

The current church, Gothic style, replaced the old church in the 14nth century. In the middle of the 16th century the famous Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón reinforced it with new flying buttresses and buttresses given its ruined state. The last restoration was carried out from 1900 to 1952 to give it its current appearance.

Porto Covo beaches - Portugal

Southwest Alentejo was one of my options for my holidays this month. I've never been to this area of the country but I'm sure sooner or later I'll spend a few days there.  

These are just two of the beautiful beaches in the region. The cards were sent by Anne Silva and Paulo.

fotografia: Oswaldo Santos

Island beach is situated on the canal that links the inland to the Pessegueiro Island. This is a place blessed by nature, used throughout the centuries as a refuge for the boats that sailed the difficult Alentejo Coast. 

This is also a spot chosen for centuries by the local avifauna as a dormitory and nesting. 

The island, accessible by boat, has several interesting archaeological vestiges, specially from the Roman occupancy period. 

In the cliff next to the beach is situated the Pessegueiro Fort, built in the 17th century. - in: https://www.guiadacidade.pt/en/poi-praia-da-ilha-do-pessegueiro-13868

© FRANCISCO MÁS LDA, Editores e Artes Gráficas

Burrinho Beach is comprised by rocky formations. Its sand only shows itself to the bathers by the low tide period. During high tide, the sand and rocks get fully immersed. - in: https://www.playocean.net/en/portugal/sines/beaches/praia-do-burrinho-beach

Impérios - Terceira Island

One of the things I liked the most on Terceira island, were the impérios, cute and colorful structures used as a place to store the reliquaries, penants, symbols; to cook and/or distribute the offerings; and to perform some of the religious services associated with the cult of the Empire of the Holy Spirit.

Anabela sent me this card with 5 of the more 70 impérios on the island. 

On the left side:

* Império of the Holy Body: located in the parish of Our Lady of the Conception and was inaugurated at the end of century XIX, year of 1895;

* Império of the Holy Spirit in Vila Nova: located in the parish of Vila Nova, in the municipality of Praia da Vitória. It was founded in the 19th century more precisely in 1888;

* Império of Serreta: located in the parish of Serreta, in Angra do Heroísmo and it was founded in 1922;

On the right side:

* Império of Charity: located the parish of Santa Cruz, municipality of Praia da Vitória. The date of its construction dates back to the 20th century, to the year 1941;

* Império of Rua da Igreja: located in the parish of Ribeirinha, in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo.

Sulphur Cave - Graciosa Island

I've already been to 3 of the Azores islands and I cant wait to visit the other 6. On Graciosa island, one of the attractions is the Sulphur Cave, a large cave of volcanic origin. 

The 1st card was sent by Manú (I think) and the other one was sent by Lurdes. 

This place is one of the portuguese sites on the UNESCO Tentative List. 

Photo by Jorge Góis

Sulphur cave is located in the only caldera of the island, whose origin is related to the collapse phase and drainage of a lava lake in the interior of the caldera. It is formed by an unique and huge dome that shows the existence of basaltic prisms. its maximum altitude is 100m and its diameter is 150m. In the bottom of the cave a big lagoon can be seen. There is a permanent fumarolic activity which exhales the CO², H²S, H² gases There are two holes in this cave that allow the entrance of the sun light. - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/566/

Foto: Karl-Heinz Raach

The access to the cave is made through a tower with about 37 meter high and a stairway with 183 steps. 

PT RR - Group 103 * April Surprise

Another RR, more surprise cards. Even though this is a RR in Portuguese, I've got card from 3 different countries, Belgium, Spain and Portugal. 

Philippe Boile

Ana lives in France but sent me a card from Mons, Belgium, with a detail of Saint Waltrude Collegiate Church. Although located in the heart of the old County of Hainaut, the Saint Waltrude Collegiate Church is one of the most characteristic churches and most homogeneous of Brabantine Gothic architecture.

The collegiate was built in the 15th century on the orders of canons. Along with the nearby belfry it is considered as a major symbol of the city of Mons. - in: wikipedia

A spanish card from Galicia, sent by Zé.

The settlers of Monte de Santa Tecla established the hill fort culture, of which there are still important remains. It was discovered in 1913, when a road was opened. Circular buildings predominate, although there are also oval and square ones, the latter under Roman influence. - in: https://www.spain.info/en/que-quieres/arte/monumentos/pontevedra/castro_del_monte_de_santa_tecla.html

Pereiro is a village in the municipality of Alcoutim, Algarve. The local church dates from the 16th century.

The card was sent by Tiago.

Álvaro José Baptista Rodrigues

Inês has been helping me a lot to increase my collection of old people. This time she sent this old couple of shellfish gatherers in Cacela.

Europe RR - Group 101 * Surprise

This Europe RR has a new host and everything seems to be working faster and better. So far, I've joined this and 2 other groups. 

In this group we're supposed to get cards according to our wishlist or favorites. There's no doubt Tatiana, Yuliya and Gerald read my profile. 

© FISA - ESCUDO DE ORO, S. A.

I've been to Madrid 3 or 4 times but never visited or seen Almudena Cathedral. 

At the end of the 19th Century building work was started on the Almudena Cathedral which was constructed on the site of the old Santa María la Mayor church to honour the patron virgin of Madrid. In 1883 the first stone of this impressive monument was laid, located in one of the most beautiful areas of the city. In 1911 the crypt was opened for worship, but construction was halted until after the Civil War, when architects Fernando Chueca Goitia and Carlos Sidro were placed in charge of the project. In spite of everything, the building process was extremely slow. In 1993, the cathedral was consecrated for worship by His Holiness Pope John Paul II. The inside of the church retains a Gothic style, although the outside is Classicist. - in: http://www.spain.info/en/que-quieres/arte/monumentos/madrid/catedral_santa_maria_la_real_de_la_almudena.html

The Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Gerviaty is the largest in Belarus. It was built in Neo-Gothic style in the years 1899-1903 at the expense of Prince Olszewski.

© Schöning GmbH & Co. KG

Bremenhaven lighthouse is the oldest mainland lighthouse on the North Sea coast still in service today and certainly one of the most beautiful lighthouses anywhere. It was built in 1853 by Simon Loschen (...). The lighthouse is a successful synthesis of the architectural styles of North German brick Gothic and concessions to the requirements of the age of technology. - in: https://www.bremerhaven.de/en/tourism/ships-harbors/simon-loschen-lighthouse.21722.html

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - EUA

If you are an Harry Potter fan then the theme park "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" is a place you can not miss when in Florida. Andréa has been there 5 years ago and Maria Gabriela visited the park  this year.

 Harry Potter: TM & © Warner Bros.. Entertainment Inc.

The theme park "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" opened in June 2010 and brought with it what most fans expected: being able to feel what it's like to be at Hogwarts, or Hogsmeade, or even in the company of Harry, Ron and Hermione.

A Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Universal Orlando Resort have partnered to create the first environment in the world completely immersed in Harry Potter, based on the famous books of J.K. Rowling and the films of Warner Bros. Designed as a "park within a park", the new environment has become part of the Universal Adventure Islands at the Universal Orlando Resort.

Inspired by the compelling stories and characters of J.K. Rowling - and true to the visual landscapes of the films - "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" provides a unique opportunity to experience the magical world of Harry and his friends. The park allows visitors to see some of the major sites found in books and movies, including even the mysterious Forest.