RU-7090589

A russian official card depicting Cape Meganom Lighthouse, located on the southeast coast of Crimea. 

RU-7090589, sent by Julia.

The lighthouse was built in 1895 and is still active. It was damaged during World War II and repaired after the war.  

It is well known as the site of an astronomical observatory.

BY-2416849

An official from Molodechno, a city in the Minsk Voblast of Belarus.

BY-2416849, sent by Yaroslav.

The Culture and Rest Park seems to be a beautiful place for a relaxed walk. There are 2 artificial ponds with fountains. In the bigger pond you can rent a boat or a catamaran. 

Gediminas Castle - Lithuania

I bought a few cards in Vilnius but I haven't seen any Gediminas Castle cards. Thanks to Evelina and Auksé, now I've these two. Ačiū!

Photo: Antanas Varanka

LT-653288, sent by Auksé. 

It is said that Gediminas Castle was built when the Duke of Lithuania Gediminas had a prophetic dream. This small but powerful castle withstood numerous Crusader attacks. Now Vilnius is unthinkable without it, and the tower of the castle became a symbol of not only the capital city, but also of Lithuania. And it is not surprising that this red-brick building overlooking the magnificent panorama of the capital city of Lithuania is a must in the list of many tourists coming to our country.

Photo: Laimonas Ciunys

Gediminas Castle was built and to date is one of the most beautiful Old Town embellishments. It is clearly visible from every place. Like Vilnius, the castle was first mentioned in 1323. By the way, during the reign of Gediminas, the Castle was not only a political centre of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, but also part of the defensive complex. On 1 January 1919, after the restoration of the state of Lithuania, the flag of Lithuania was officially raised for the first time on the Gediminas Castle Tower. - in: http://www.lithuania.travel/en-gb/attractions/gediminas-castle/17125

Riga - Latvia

How beautiful, magical and wonderful is this breathtaking snowy winter view of Riga??! I just love it and this view is one of the reasons why I want to visit Riga again. 

To enjoy this view you can take a lift to the top of the St. Peter's Church tower. The church’s position in the centre of Old Town gives you a close-up view of some of the beautiful architecture and colourful facades from above, as well as a view across the river to other parts of the city. - in: https://londoncitycalling.com/2017/03/14/the-4-best-vantage-points-in-riga/

Riga was a major centre of the Hanseatic League, deriving its prosperity in the 13th–15th centuries from the trade with central and eastern Europe. The urban fabric of its medieval centre reflects this prosperity, though most of the earliest buildings were destroyed by fire or war. Riga became an important economic centre in the 19th century, when the suburbs surrounding the medieval town were laid out, first with imposing wooden buildings in neoclassical style and then in Jugendstil . It is generally recognized that Riga has the finest collection of art nouveau buildings in Europe. - in: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/852

Riga Dome Cathedral - Latvia

I've been to Riga in September, 2015. It was a short visit though but I really liked the city's historical center. I know I'll visit the city again.

LV-239410, sent by Zigrida.

The foundation stone of Riga Dome Cathedral was laid on July 25, 1211. The last large-scale restoration took place in the late 19th century when the cathedral acquired its present appearance. Today, Riga Dome Cathedral holds services and provide for rich cultural life — various concerts of popular artists take place here.

Riga Dome Cathedral has been one of the major venues for concerts in Riga for hundreds of years. Also today, official services and concerts feature various musical performances.

Photo: Indrikis Stürmanis 

Riga Dome Cathedral was the central cathedral in the Baltics until Livonia fell to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1561. It has Romanesque, early Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau features and is considered the largest Medieval church in Latvia and the Baltic States.

On July 25, 1211 during a ceremony, Bishop Albert laid the foundation stone. According to art historians, the building was initially envisaged as a basilica but later the design was changed and a hall church was built instead.

Photo: Indrikis Stürmanis

LV-160715, sent by Velga.

At the beginning of the 15th century, the cathedral was enlarged by building the western cross-nave and side chapels and elevating the side walls of the central nave thus making the church into a basilica. Riga Dome Cathedral tower was the highest spire in Riga at that time. The cathedral kept its appearance up to 1547, when on a Sunday before Pentecost, a great fire broke out in the inner city and the Gothic spire of the cathedral burned down. A new tower with a pyramidal spire and two galleries were built by 1595. The Cathedral cockerel dating back to that time can still be seen in the inner courtyard of the cathedral.

LV- 82579, sent by Svetlana.

From 1881 to 1914, Riga Cathedral Building Section of Riga Society of Researchers of History and Ancient Times carried out major reconstruction and renovation for its present-day appearance. - in: http://www.liveriga.com/en/1158-riga-dome-cathedral

Helsinki's Cathedral - Finland

This is that time of the year when all I think about is to go on holidays. Finland has been on my list for quite some years now and this year, once again, I hope I can make it there. Fingers crossed. 

If I can finally travel to Helsinki, I won't need to buy any cards of the Uspenski Cathedral. Besides these ones, I've 2 or 3 more. All these cards are officials, except for the 2nd one that it was sent by Heidi.

FI-297468 sent by "peramuru".

The impressive green-domed Lutheran Cathedral (Tuomiokirkko in Finnish) dominates Senate Square and the skyline of Helsinki.

 Helsinki is famed for its architects, but it was a German, Carl Ludvig Engel, who laid out Senate Square and designed the Lutheran Cathedral. 

FI-3392622, sent by Kaisa. 

The Tuomiokirkko was built to replace a smaller church on the site dating from 1727. Construction of the Lutheran Cathedral was overseen by Engel from 1830 until his death in 1840, when it was taken over by Ernst Lohrmann.

FI-2199913, sent by Anna.

The cathedral was built as a tribute to the Grand Duke, Nicholas I, the Tsar of Russia, and was called St. Nicholas' Church until the independence of Finland in 1917. In 1959, it became a cathedral of the Evangelical Lutheran denomination.

Photographed and Published by Janne harala Tmi, Lahti

FI-1661784, sent by Arja.

Extensive renovations, both to the cathedral and to its crypt, brought the Lutheran Cathedral back to its original beauty in 1998. One of Helsinki's most popular tourist attractions, it receives more than 350,000 visitors each year. - in: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/finland/helsinki-lutheran-cathedral

NL-4275358 6 NL-4276266

These two cards were the last dutch officials thata I received and registered in 2018.

Foto: Combi Henk Heringa, Beek en Donk

NL-4275358, sent by Anne.

The St. Leonard’s Church in Beek en Donk, in the Dutch province of North Brabant. 

Foto: Siska Dijkstra-van der Beek

NL-4276266, sent by Petra.

Claas Stapels Hofje is a former women's court in the city of Hoorn. The hofje was founded in 1682. 

A hofje provided housing for elderly people (mostly women). They were privately funded, and served as a form of social security. In the Netherlands there are still a number of hofjes in use. 

Hofjes are usually built in a U-shape with a yard or garden in the middle, and a gate as entrance. The shape of hofjes was most likely inspired by the (older) Begijnenhofjes -- groups of small houses inhabited exclusively by religious women. - in: wikipedia