Monthly Fav. Surprise RR - August '21

Cards from the Netherlands, Germany, Belarus and USA.

www.postcards-for-postcrossing.com

Jessica took some time to check my mills collection and sent me a new one from the Netherlands. 

Strijkmolen K is located in Rustenburg, in the province of North-Holland. It was built in 1627. Is not longer operating. 

Foto: www.sissirichter.de

In 2018 Marei sent me a different view of this church in Bavaria for the MFS RR - October. Same church, different season.

Two churches, one card from Vitsebsk, Tatyana's hometown. 

The white church is the Annunciation Church, one of the oldest buildings in Belarus. It was constructed in the 1140s as a pagan church, rebuilt in the 14th and 17th centuries as Roman Catholic Church, repaired in 1883 and destroyed by the Communist administration in 1961. The church was in ruins until 1992, when it was restored to its presumed original appearance. - in: wikipedia

On the left side there's the Alexander Nevsky Church. The beautiful wooden church was originally built in 1992 as a temporary temple. Years have passed and the church is no longer a temporary temple, is now one of the city's attractions. 

Photography: Laurence Parent

Marshall Point Lighthouse stands on a rocky point at the end of the St. George peninsula in Maine. The lighthouse aids navigation along the Gulf of Maine coast and marks the entrance to the mouth of the St. George River and the harbor located in the fishing village of Port Clyde.

The lighthouse property includes the light tower, accessible via a walkway, the lovingly restored 1880’s Keeper’s House, summer kitchen, recently reconstructed late 19th century barn and the original oil house.

Housed within the keeper’s house and summer kitchen is a museum featuring exhibits which highlight not only the history of the lighthouse but explore the industries and history of the peninsula. A well-stocked research room allows visitors to view photographs and documents pertaining to the area’s history.

The lighthouse has featured in many commercial photo shoots and in the movie Forest Gump featuring Tom Hanks, whose character concluded his cross-country run on the runway of Marshall Point Lighthouse. In the museum, visitors will find documentation on the filming of the movie. - in: https://www.marshallpoint.org/

Card sent by Tracey. 

CA-1137104

Cobourg is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in Southern Ontario.

Photographs & production: Sheila M. McCoy

CA-1137104, sent by Sarah.

Known as the "gem of Lake Ontario" for its prime location on the lakeshore between Toronto and Kingston, and a notable waterfront. Cobourg is rich in heritage and history, this prosperous and attractive town features many architectural gems dating to the 19th century. You'll also find a spectacular sandy beach with a picturesque boardwalk and shady park, campgrounds, nature trails, and a world-class marina. - in: https://www.northumberlandtourism.com

US-7818717

Washington's majestic Cascade Mountain Range in the glow of a harvest moon.

Photo by Harry Ableman

US-7818717, sent by Kristine.

The Cascade Range or Cascades is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California.

The Cascades are part of the Pacific Ocean's Ring of Fire, the ring of volcanoes and associated mountains around the Pacific Ocean. All of the eruptions in the contiguous United States over the last 200 years have been from Cascade volcanoes. - in: wikipedia

Festa Junina Meetings - Brazil

In Brazil, June is a month of festivities and for Brazilian postcrossers this is the perfect excuse for a meeting. Even though these cards are from different years, I think it makes sense to post them together. They were sent by Luzia and Valéria.

Postcard design by freepik.com and Paloma Miranda 

Festa Junina, or the June Festival, is a Catholic tradition that was introduced to Brazil during the country’s colonization by Portugal (from 1500 to 1822). Its events are based on the European Midsummer festivities, which celebrate the harvest and the saints, mainly Saint Anthony, Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Peter. 

Postcard design and layout: Léia Guimarães. Illutrations source: Freepik

 All of Brazil celebrates this annual event. The largest festivities happen in the northeast of Brazil where the scale of celebrations is similar to Carnival.

Because this festival celebrates the harvest, events can take on a rural theme, as do the costumes, which resemble a typical countryside style and conjure images of farmers. Dancing is also an important part of the celebrations and is centered around the quadrilha, a typical Festa Junina dance accompanied by a music genre called forró. 

The food of Festa Junina is comforting and uses local ingredients—as you would expect of dishes made in the countryside. Typical foods include bolo de fubá (corn cakes made from finely ground rice or corn flour), curau (corn mixed with condensed milk and peanuts, then topped with cinnamon), cocada de colher (shredded coconut mixed with condensed milk and butter), pé-de-moleque (a type of sweet treat made with hard toffee and peanuts), and paçoca (candy made out of crushed peanuts). - in:  in: https://theculturetrip.com

Valongo Wharf - Brazil

Most of the WHS around the world fill us with pride and admiration but with some it is impossible not to feel shame, embarrassment and guilt. Those places remind us some dark periods of History. However we can't delete History but we can do our best so that those dark events won't happen again.

Valongo Wharf in Rio de Janeiro is certainly one of those places. This was the main port of entry for enslaved Africans in Brazil and the Americas. The site was classified as a World Heritage Site in 2017 and this card was still missing in my collection. I got it thanks to Sílvia.

Foto: António Carlos Correa

The wharf started being built in 1811 to facilitate the debarkation of enslaved Africans arriving in Brazil. It is estimated that up to 900,000 African captives entered the Americas via Valongo.

In physical terms the property consists of several archaeological layers. The lowest of these with floor pavings in foot de tomboy style represents the remains of the Valongo Wharf. Later, more dominant layers report to the Empress' Wharf, constructed in 1843. The property's characteristic is that it is a beach that was covered with extensive paving made of hewn stones of different sizes, forms and functions, with a ramp and steps leading down to the sea. It was built in an apparently simple process, not on a landfill, as it was customary, but directly on the sand of the beach, following its natural contours.

Valongo Wharf Archaeological Site is the globally most significant remains of a landing point of enslaved Africans in the Americas and therefore carries enormous historical as well as spiritual importance to African Americans. Valongo Wharf can therefore be seen as unique and exceptional both from a material point of view and with regard to the spiritual associations to which it is tangibly related. - in: https://whc.unesco.org

Kyoto Imperial Palace - Japan

Officials from Kyoto with the Imperial Palace. 

JP-1577610, sent by Mai.

The Kyoto Imperial Palace used to be the residence of Japan's Imperial Family until 1868, when the emperor and capital were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. It is located in the spacious Kyoto Imperial Park, an attractive park in the center of the city.

JP-1278958, sent by Yoshimi.

The current Imperial Palace was reconstructed in 1855 after it had burnt down and moved around town repeatedly over the centuries. The complex is enclosed by long walls and consists of several gates, halls and gardens. - in: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3917.html

St. Andrew Church - Kyiv

If my stay in kiev had been longer, I would definitely have visited this church and many others. 

Rare in its beauty and grace, the St. Andrew's Church, stands on a hill in the historic center of Kyiv. It is one of the most famous Orthodox temples in the Ukrainian capital. This amazing construction, rightfully considered to be a real work of art, is among the most remarkable of the city’s landmarks.

The St. Andrew's Church owes its origin to the Russian empress Elizabeth who, intending to have a summerhouse in Kyiv, ordered a temple to be built. It was erected in 1754, at the place, where, according to legend, St. Andrew the Apostle made a cross during his travels to the Scythian country.

Famous architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli designed this five-domed church with one cupola in baroque style. It is still called Rastelli’s 'swan song.’ The temple is in the form of a cross, and its edges are decorated with fancy ornamental towers.

 UA-324628, sent by Serhiy.

As any baroque object, the St. Andrew's Church is notable for its unusual elegance, luxurious decor, exquisite refinement, and airiness of form. But even more impressive is the church’s interior – suited for a luxurious palace – which was also designed by the great Rastrelli. Its key decoration is the original bright-red iconostasis, made of linden wood and covered with gold.

Today, the St. Andrew's Church is a working temple, and services are conducted here. It also houses a museum, whose collection tells the difficult history of this architectural masterpiece. - in: https://discover-ukraine.info