Hertogenbosch's Cathedral - Netherlands

(Sint-Janskathedraal) of 's-Hertogenbosch is the height of gothic architecture in North Brabant, Netherlands

. It has an extensive and richly decorated interior, and serves as the cathedral for the bishopric 's-Hertogenbosch.

The cathedral has a total length of 115 and a width of 62 metres. Its tower reaches 73 metres high.

NL-4160749, sent by Annelies.

In 1985, it received the honorary title of basilica from pope John Paul II.

Its construction is thought to have started in 1220 and was finished in 1340. Around 1340, building began to extend the church, from which its current gothic style came." - in: wikipedia

Holsten Gate, Lübeck - Germany

Holsten Gate is one of the relics of Lübeck's medieval city fortifications and one of two remaining city gates. Known for its two-round towers and arched entrance, it is regarded today as a symbol of the city. Together with the old city centre (Altstadt) of Lübeck it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.

The 1st card was sent by Sabine and the 2nd is an official sent by Franzi.

Holsten Gate is one of the most famous sights in Lübeck. When visiting the City of the 7 Spires take a moment to admire its symbol standing at the entrance to the old town.

Beside the Brandenburg Gate, Cologne Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady in Munich, the Holsten Gate in Lübeck is the most famous German building in the world.

In medieval times, Lübeck was considered to be an important city and owes its thanks to the success of the Lübeck merchants. Holsten Gate became the proud symbol of Lübeck as a free imperial city. 

The city gate was built between 1464 and 1478 along the lines of Dutch models. Its purpose served both as a form of defence and as a form of prestige. Above the round-arched gateway entrance of the twin-towered construction, the inscription CONCORDIA DOMI FORIS PAX (unity at home, peace abroad) can clearly be seen in golden letters. 

© Schöning GmbH & Co. KG

DE-7361938, sent by Franzi. 

Nearly every visitor is astonished by its odd leaning angle and its sunken south tower. But, during the 15th century people weren't quite as knowledgeable on "foundation work" as they are today.  As only the towers are standing on a "gridiron" with the heavy middle tract resting upon them, the towers unevenly subsided into the marshy ground.  In 1863, the Gate looked an appalling sight. With a majority of just one single vote, the city parliament decided to restore the gate and began extensive restoration efforts. It wasn't until 70 years later that the subsidence could be stopped. Most recent renovations were carried out between 2004 and 2006. Here, the slate roof, terracotta frieze and parts of the brickwork were replaced. 

Be sure to take a look inside the monument, too: There are many interesting facts to learn inside the Holsten Gate Museum, for example, »The Power of Trade«. Historic ship models, suits of armour, weapons, legal instruments and merchandise give a brief glimpse into the time of the Hanseatic League. - in: http://www.luebeck-tourism.de/discover/sights/holsten-gate.html

Murça's Roman Road and Bridge - Portugal

I believe this is my 1st and only card from Murça, a town in northern Portugal. Inês sent it as a prize for winning one of her lotteries. 

There are numerous vestiges left by the presence of Roman civilization in the present Portuguese territory, of which the county of Murça was no exception.

The Roman Bridge, on the Tinhela River, was the only way of connection in the county in Roman times, through which may have  passed some legions of Roman troops, people who dominated the Iberian Peninsula after defeating the Lusitanians .

Even nowadays, about two decades ago, people from the towns of Vale de Cunho, Pópulo and Cadaval, used the road and bridge to go on foot to the county seat, namely to go to the fair or to pick olives. 

This bridge, still maintains today some stretches of Roman sidewalk, that in brief stretches, is still original. It is believed that this Roman road made the connection to Chaves, Braga and other regions of Iberia.

Pinhôa Windmills - Portugal

 Last week Leninha surprised me with this lovely card for my elderlies collection.

 The Lourinhã district is one of the most representative when it comes to windmills, which despite no longer playing the active role in the economy they once did, are still without doubt important heritage to the centuries old traditions of our people.

At Alto da Pinhoa, in the Moita dos Ferreiros region, you can enjoy a close-up experience of five windmills which were fully restored in April, 2000.

Three of them are still in operation while one has been transformed into a bar (currently not open to the public) and another is used as a holiday home.

Foto e Grafismo: Acácio Soares

It is even possible to chat to the miller and his wife, simple and friendly people who’ll happily open the door to the central mill and show you it in operation (with a little help from the wind, of course!), and they’ll explain how it works. Fascinating for both children and adults. You’ll be able to see the two different grinding systems, one for corn and another for wheat, which use different types of stone in the grinding process. You can learn how to grade the grain of the floor and how to operate each of the mill stones. - in: http://www.cm-lourinha.pt/custompages/showpage.aspx?pageid=6029e2ca-afb9-4d56-b917-8d72af0b1786

13th Postcrossing Anniversary Meeting in Setúbal - Portugal

Postcrossing anniversary was last month and the portuguese postcrossers celebrated in Setúbal. They had a birthday cake, fried cuttlefish (a regional speciality) and of course, postcards. I wasn't there but the dearest Vitória, Inês and  Gracinha remembered me and sent me these beautiful postcards.

 © Foto: C. Monteiro / © Casa dos Postais

The construction of Fort of São Filipe began during the Spanish occupation, in 1582, during the reign of Filipe I, as a way to reinforce Setúbal's defense against pirates, which, since the reign of D. Afonso IV, was a concern.

With the restoration of independence, in 1640, D. João IV ordered to expand the defenses and their adaptation to the use of artillery. In century XIX a fire destroyed the house of the command.

In the XX century, classified as National Monument, the General-Directions of National Buildings and Monuments, made restoration works and the fort was adapted to function as an hotel.

  In the interior of the fort, besides the former governor's house, there is also a chapel totally covered in tiles.

 Postais de Tróia

Located on a place of great natural beauty, the Tróia Peninsula is a strip of golden sand with about 17km long and 1,5km width, surrounded by a deep blue sea that make of this a privileged place for wonderful leisure moments. 

The Tróia Beaches are famous for its peacefulness and great conditions offered to all visitors, and are usually beaches with big extensions that provide room and amenities for all. 

Nowadays Tróia offers the most diversified amenities and services, among accommodation, restaurants, fun parks, tennis and golf courts, among many others. A profound urban and landscape remodelling is nowadays taking place, in order to reorganize the buildings and constructions that were made in the 1960’s and 70’s which were built for a massive tourism and that got into a degradation point. - in: https://www.guiadacidade.pt/en/poi-peninsula-de-troia-19706

Fotografia: João Dionísio

In the coastal region of Setubal we often observe specimens of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), considered one of the faunistic symbols of the region.

The area between the Atlantic Coast ( Galé and Arrábida) and the Sado Estuary is home to one of only three mammals communities residing in the European maritime space.

Groups of these sociable animals, called "roazes", supposedly, from habit of gnaw the meshes that fishermen launch into the sea, seek daily the tide favorable to travel to the estuarine area, addressing themselves to areas of estuaries and marshes, in search of food, mainly cuttlefish, sea bass and mullet, in a consumption that can reach up to ten kilograms per day.

It is estimated they can live 50 or more years, with females to register greater longevity than males. - in: http://visitsetubal.com.pt/en/golfinhos/

Wickerwork - Madeira Island

Miguel has recently been to Madeira Island with his family. He saw this card in Funchal and thought it would be a nice one for my elderlies collection. He knows I like cards with elderlies but he didn't know my mom used to work with wicker many years ago. 

On Madeira the wickerwork industry has its foundation in 1850 in the parish of Camacha, where the largest production of this type of craft on the island is found.

Fotografia: Miguel Perestrello

The trees that originate this work – Willows trees, grow on lands with plenty of water and each plant can produce between 2 to 5 kilograms of willow. Once cut, the willow must be peeled and dried, which is then followed by the transformation phase. 

Before being used for making baskets or furniture, the rods go through a treatment process where they are boiled to give elasticity and make them easier to handle. This is the process that gives them a brown colour instead of the original white one.

Wickerwork is used to manufacture objects for domestic use, of all shapes and sizes, including suitcases, boxes, chairs, tables, furniture, among others. 

There are all kinds of furniture pieces, especially chairs, couches and tables, alongside with other items such as agricultural baskets that are used in the grape harvest throughout the island, as well as the “Monte sledges” which concentrates a significant portion of this industry. - in: http://www.visitmadeira.pt/en-gb/madeira/regional-products/wickerwork

Cabras Islet - Terceira Island

After a big meeting in June, Lurdes and Anabela had a mini-meeting with Barbara, an austrian postcrosser. Big or smaller, Postcrossing meetings are always great. 

Fotografia: Rodrigo Bento

The two Islets, named as Grande (big) and Pequeno (small), that constitute the Cabras Islet are located in front of the southern coast of the wonderful Terceira Island, about 1km distance from the Feteira small village. 

These Islets are classified as the Cabras Special Protection Zone, due to its natural importance, occupying a total surface of 29 hectares, having the Small Islet 84 meters and the Big Islet 147 meters high. 

These are the biggest Islets of the Archipelago, volcanic remnants which basaltic lava entered in contact with the water forming littoral volcanic cones, nowadays quite altered by sea’s erosion. 

Habitat for several species, namely avifauna, in the Cabras Islet many protected species nest, such as the Common Tern, the Calonectris, the Roseate Tern, the Capped Heron, or the Seagull, among many others. 

The access to the Islet is difficult, even though sometimes some of the areas are used as pasture for cattle. 

During summer months there are some boat trips available for those who wish to visit this Special Protection Zone, always with a conditioned number of visitors due to environmental issues. - in: https://www.guiadacidade.pt/en/poi-ilheu-das-cabras-18634