NL-5145605

It is really great that when some objects, structures and buildings that no longer serve their original purpose, can be used in another way instead of being destroyed or abandoned. Brinkamahof Lighthouse, near Bremerhaven is now a residential building and pub.

 www.postcards-for-postcrossing.com

NL-5145605, sent by Annemieke and Sam.

The lighthouse was built in 1910/1911 and its’ original location was actually 6 kilometers north of Bremerhaven on the Wurster Watt. From 1911 - 1922 the lighthouse served as a direction light for the Wurster Arm waterway, 1922 - 1959 as a cross light for the transition from the Bremerhaven over to the Reedebaken lighthouse line as a result of the relocation of the waterway from Wurster Arm to the Fedderwarder Arm and 1959 - 1980 as a front light within the lighthouse line Weddewarden for the Fedderwarder waterway. With the Northern expansion of the Bremerhaven Container-Terminal the lighthouse had to be given up. With the help of the floating crane „Thor” the whole lighthouse was moved on August 19th, 1980 to the Nordsee-Yachting marina. Now the lighthouse is a landmark and a cozy pub in the marina. - in: https://www.bremerhaven.de

Chiemsee Lake - Germany

Lake Chiemsee is Bavaria's largest lake and is located about 70 kilometers from Munich. Chiemsee has three main islands – Herreninsel, Fraueninsel, and uninhabited Krautinsel – which all have frequent ferry connections to the mainland.

 

© Fotoverlag UBER

DE-11351767, sent by Evi. 

Frauenchiemsee, the smaller of the two main islands, houses a Benedictine nunnery, built in 782, as well as a small village. The nuns make a liquor called Klosterlikör ("cloister liquor") and marzipan (almond paste). 

Herreninsel has a palace built by King Ludwig II in 1878 called Herrenchiemsee, which was never completed but was meant to be a replica of the Palace of Versailles. - in: wikipedia

© Fotoverlag HUBER

In 1873 King Ludwig II of Bavaria acquired the Herreninsel as the location for his Royal Palace of Herrenchiemsee (New Palace). Modelled on Versailles, this palace was built as a "Temple of Fame" for King Louis XIV of France, whom the Bavarian monarch fervently admired.

The actual building of this "Bavarian Versailles", which was begun in 1878 from plans by Georg Dollmann, was preceded by a total of 13 planning stages. When Ludwig II died in 1886 the palace was still incomplete, and sections of it were later demolished.

 The highlights of the large state rooms are the State Staircase, the State Bedroom and the Great Hall of Mirrors. The king's own rooms were in the intimate Small Apartment, designed in the French rococo style.

In 1876 Court Garden Director Carl von Effner completed the plans for a large garden resembling that of Versailles. When the king died, only the sections along the main axis with their famous fountains and waterworks had been completed. - in: http://www.herrenchiemsee.de/englisch/n_palace/

DE-11351779

The Upper Middle Rhine Valley is one of my visited UNESCO sites in Germany. I've been to Koblenz and then took a boat to Braubach and visited Marksburg castle. 

 

The strategic location of the dramatic 65km stretch of the Middle Rhine Valley between Bingen, Rüdesheim und Koblenz as a transport artery and the prosperity that this engendered is reflected in its sixty small towns, the extensive terraced vineyards and the ruins of castles that once defended its trade.

 

 rahmerverlag

DE-11351779, sent by Jana.

As a transport route, the Rhine has served as a link between the southern and northern halves of the continent since prehistoric times, enabling trade and cultural exchange, which in turn led to the establishment of settlements. Condensed into a very small area, these subsequently joined up to form chains of villages and small towns. For over a 1,000 years the steep valley sides have been terraced for vineyards.

The landscape is punctuated by some 40 hill top castles and fortresses erected over a period of around 1,000 years. Abandonment and later the wars of the 17th century left most as picturesque ruins. The later 18th century saw the growth of sensibility towards the beauties of nature, and the often dramatic physical scenery of the Middle Rhine Valley, coupled with the many ruined castles on prominent hilltops, made it appeal strongly to the Romantic movement, which in turn influenced the form of much 19th century restoration and reconstruction.

The Rhine is one of the world's great rivers and has witnessed many crucial events in human history. The stretch of the Middle Rhine Valley between Bingen and Koblenz is in many ways an exceptional expression of this long history. It is a cultural landscape that has been fashioned by humankind over many centuries and its present form and structure derive from human interventions conditioned by the cultural and political evolution of Western Europe. The geomorphology of the Middle Rhine Valley, moreover, is such that the river has over the centuries fostered a cultural landscape of great beauty which has strongly influenced artists of all kinds - poets, painters, and composers - over the past two centuries. - in: https://whc.unesco.org

Cologne's Cathedral - Germany

It is impossible to speak about Cologne and without mentioning its huge and impressive cathedral. It can be seen from nearly every point in the city centre with its towers dominating the city's panorama. 

If you'd like to enjoy some nice views of downtown Cologne and the Rhine, I suggest that you climb to the  platform of the cathedral's southern tower. However, you need to go up 533 steps in order to enjoy the views  because there is no lift. I did that and it was worth it. 

Dedicated to the saints Peter and Mary, Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Cologne. Cologne Cathedral is the greatest Gothic cathedral in Germany and has been Cologne's most famous landmark for centuries. Once the tallest building in the world, Cologne Cathedral still boasts the world's largest church façade.

© Schöning Verlag

DE-10375282, sent by Maria.

Construction of the present Gothic church began in the 13th century and took, with interruptions, more than 600 years to complete. The new structure was built to house the relics of the Three Magi, taken from Milan by Holy Roman Emperor Fredrick Barbarossa and given to the Archbishop of Cologne, Rainald von Dassel in 1164.

DE-820701, sent by Frank & Daniel.

The foundation stone of Cologne Cathedral was laid on August 15, 1248, by Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden, and the choir was consecrated in 1322. 

The completion of Germany's largest cathedral was celebrated as a national event in 1880, 632 years after construction had began.

© Citysights GmbH

 DE-1563221, sent by Stefan.

The cathedral suffered 14 hits by World War II aerial bombs but did not collapse and reconstruction was completed in 1956. 

 

© Citysights GmbH

 

DE-11360270, sent by Dirk.

In the northwest tower's base, an emergency repair carried out with bad-quality brickstones taken from a nearby war ruin remained visible until the late 1990s as a reminder of the War, but then it was decided to reconstruct this section according to the original appearance. It is possible to climb a spiral staircase to a viewing platform about 98 metres above the ground.

 © Schöning GmbH & Co, KG

DE-1464294, sent by Jens.

In 1996, the cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. - in: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/cologne-cathedral

Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi - Canada

It was because of this card that I tagged Nancy. Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi was the only UNESCO site that I was still missing from Canada. 

The property is located on the northern edge of the semi-arid Great Plains of North America, on the border between Canada and the United States of America.

 © 2020 by Suaithai

 The Milk River Valley dominates the topography of this cultural landscape, which is characterized by a concentration of pillars or hoodoos – columns of rock sculpted by erosion into spectacular shapes. The Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksikáíítsitapi) left engravings and paintings on the sandstone walls of the Milk River Valley, bearing testimony to messages from Sacred Beings. Dated in situ archaeological remains cover a period between ca. 4,500 BP - 3,500 years BP and the Contact Period. This landscape is considered sacred to the Blackfoot people, and their centuries-old traditions are perpetuated through ceremonies and in enduring respect for the places. - in: https://whc.unesco.org

L'Anse aux Meadows - Canada

L'Anse aux Meadows is an archaeological site first excavated in the 1960s of a Norse settlement dating to approximately 1,000 years ago.  The site was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1968 and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978.

The 1st card was sent a few years ago by Trupti and the 2nd is also a card sent by Nancy.

 L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site contains the excavated remains of a complete 11th-century Viking settlement, the earliest evidence of Europeans in North America. Situated at the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula of the island of Newfoundland, this exceptional archaeological site consists of eight timber-framed turf structures built in the same style as those found in Norse Greenland and Iceland from the same period. The buildings include three dwellings, one forge and four workshops, on a narrow terrace overlooking a peat bog and small brook near the shore of Epaves Bay in the Straight of Belle Isle.

 

Produced and distributed by M & B Postcards

Artifacts found at the site show evidence of activities including iron production and woodworking, likely used for ship repair, as well as indications that those who used the camp voyaged further south. The remnants correspond with the stories told in the Vinland Sagas, which document the voyages of Leif Erikson and other Norse explorers who ventured westward across the Atlantic Ocean from Iceland and Greenland to find and explore new territory, a significant achievement in the history of human migration and discovery. - in:https://whc.unesco.org

National Park of American Samoa

This card is also a first, the first from American Samoa, and it was also sent by Nancy. 

The National Park of American Samoa is a national park in the United States territory of American Samoa, distributed across three islands: Tutuila, Ofu, and Ta‘ū. This card is from Tatuila island and it shows Pola Island.

The park preserves and protects coral reefs, tropical rainforests, fruit bats, and the Samoan culture.

 

Pola Island is an island just offshore from the village of Vatia on Tutuila Island.The island is known for its high cliffs, populated by seabirds, and is one of American Samoa's primary seabird nesting sites.

Rashaida Women - Eritrea

I've tagged Nancy on a UNESCO tag and the she asked me if we could swap a few cards. I said yes and that's how I got this card from Eritrea, a new country in my collection 😃 

The Rashaida migrated to Eritrea and north-eastern Sudan from Saudi Arabia in 1846. The cause of their migration was due to ethnic warfare breaking out in Saudi Arabia. The Rashaida are thought to be related to the Bedouin of Saudi Arabia and are the only true nomadic people left in Eritrea. They are primarily Muslim, and very few Christians are known to exist among the group. According to the Eritrean government, the Rashaida made up 2.4% of Eritrea's population, and numbered around 78,000 in 1996. The language spoken by them is Arabic, although some are capable in speaking Tigre.

 

 

Photograph © Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher

Rashaida women are famous for their black-and-red geometrically patterened dresses, and their burkas (long, heavy veils) elaborately embroidered with silver thread, beads and sometimes seed perals. Once a Rashaida girl reaches the age of 5, she is required to wear a veil that covers most of her face, with the exception of her eyes. Since the sexes do not mix freely in Rashaida culture, young men and women have few chances to meet of their own accord. As a result, marriages are usually arranged by familes. However, if a Rashadian girl is ready to marry, she will at times approache the man she wants and flirtatiously lift her veil so that he can see her chin. If he accepts her offer he must find 100 camels for her bride price. - in: http://www.madote.com

Red foxes

A beautiful red foxes from Finland and Belarus sent by Sirpu and Anna. 

Red foxes live around the world in many diverse habitats including forests, grasslands, mountains, and deserts. They also adapt well to human environments such as farms, suburban areas, and even large communities. The red fox's resourcefulness has earned it a legendary reputation for intelligence and cunning.

 

Kuva: Vastavalo / Anja West

Red foxes are solitary hunters who feed on rodents, rabbits, birds, and other small game—but their diet can be as flexible as their home habitat. Foxes will eat fruit and vegetables, fish, frogs, and even worms. If living among humans, foxes will opportunistically dine on garbage and pet food.

In winter, foxes meet to mate. The vixen (female) typically gives birth to a litter of 2 to 12 pups. At birth, red foxes are actually brown or gray. A new red coat usually grows in by the end of the first month, but some red foxes are golden, reddish-brown, silver, or even black. Both parents care for their young through the summer before they are able to strike out on their own in the fall. - in: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/r/red-fox/

Chaves Church - Portugal

Paula also sent me a non Christmas card to wish me happy holidays. I believe that all the cards that I've posted from Church were about the roman bridge. Today I'm showing the city's parish church.

Francisco Más, Lda

 

The historic Church of Santa Maria Maior (the Igreja Matriz or Parish Church) is located in the center of Chaves. 

The original Romanesque church dates back to the mid-13th century and may even be 12th century and have been built over a previous Visigothic church, which was constructed over an even earlier Roman temple. The bell tower and Romanesque portal date from the 13th century.

In the 16th century the Church of Santa Maria Maior underwent major renovation which included the integration of two Mannerist (Late Renaissance) portals into the existing Romanesque structure, one on the main facade, crowned by a circular oculus (circular opening) crowned with an image of Christ and the other on the north side, surmounted by two medallions with the images of St. Paul and St. Peter. - in: https://www.portugalvisitor.com

1st of May Park in V. N. de Famalicão - Portugal

I liked all the Christmas cards I received last year, of course I did, but the best card of the year award goes to this one that isn't even a Christmas card. This was really the card that I liked the most to receive. It was sent by Miguel, Oscar's son 😍 I loved it!! The postcard is from Vila Nova de Famalicão, where I've never been to, with the exception of the bus terminal, and from where I only have 2 or 3 more postcards. This one shows the 1st of May Garden.

The “1st  of May Garden” arose due to the construction of the avenue crossing it, by the established connection between the city centre and the railway station. With the final design of the landscape Architect Viana Barreto, it’s in the year of 60’s of the 20th century that the garden acquired its current configuration.

Since then, has been subject to an intervention in year of the 80’s, which resulted in the design of a longitudinal passage and the central square, where the sculpture in honour of a volunteer Fireman was set up.

This garden has excellent recreational conditions for children and their families, along with its main equipment, especially the children’s playpark, the lake with its birds and a picnic park. Establishes a crossing and connection to the various public facilities. - in: http://www.portoenorte.pt

Monthly Fav. Surprise RR * October '21

This new year has just started but I still have some some unfinished business in 2021, meaning that I still have a few cards to show from last year. This 1st one from China was actually the last one to arrive in 2021. It was supposed to arrive in October but it took a bit longer and only arrived in the last days of December.

It was worth to wait for this card. Eels sent me a card from my favorites, grassland in Inner Mongolia region. 

Inner Mongolia is the land of endless green grass with grazing herds of sheep and horses decorating the landscape.

Photo: Pihla Liukkonen - Postcard Design: Marku Kulmala

 

In October Finland celebrated 150 years of postcards in the country and a few meetings were held in a several cities. In November I posted the cards that I've got from Helsinki, Sastamala, Jyväskylä and Kuopio meetings, only the card from Mikkeli was missing. It was sent by Flora and it shows the city's harbor.

Hōryū-ji is a Buddhist temple in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan. In 1993, Horyu-ji Temple, along with Hokki-ji, was registered as Japan's first UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name of Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area.  

The temple was founded in 607 by Prince Shotoku, who is credited with the early promotion of Buddhism in Japan. Horyuji is one of the country's oldest temples and contains the world's oldest surviving wooden structures. - in: https://www.japan-guide.com

This card was sent by Sawako.

 

Zagreb Cathedral was one of the historic buildings damaged by a 5.3-magnitude earthquake on the morning of 22 March 2020. One of its two spires broke off and crashed onto the roof of the adjacent Archbishop's Palace. The second, which was significantly damaged, on expert recommendations, was partly removed a few days later.

Card sent by Anja.

HR-95874

Hello and happy new year!! 

Have you already received any mail this year? Today I've received 2 Christmas cards and a letter, I'm still waiting for my 1st official. 

Speakinf of officials, is now time for some stats.  In 2021 my mailbox was happy 62 days, with a total of 114 official cards. I've sent 112. These numbers are slightly better than in 2020. One thing didn't changed, most of the sent and received cards are from Germany, USA and Russia. Besides these three countries, I've received cards from 23 other countries and sent to 21 others. One of the received was this one from Croatia, my 2nd official from there.

 

HR-95874, sent by Nada. 

Labin and Rabac are two cute, not overcrowded Istrian towns.
Labin is a medieval town located in the southeastern part of Istria, on a 320 meters high hill above Rabac. The town developed on the site of a Roman settlement called Albona (“alb” meaning hill), which was first mentioned in 285 AD. Labin consists of two parts: the old town, which is located on top of the hill, and the new settlement, the so-called Podlabin (“Underlabin”). The combination of the old and new town makes the walk through the streets like a visit to a museum. You can see the town gates from the 15th century, the lodge from the 17th century, renaissance details and baroque facades. 

Known as “Pearl of the Kvarner Bay”, Rabac is a famous tourist resort that was a small fishermen village until the middle of the 19th century. Due to its location (beautiful bay and splendid surroundings), Rabac started to attract visitors, including the English writer Richard Francis Burton, who even wrote a book called “The Istrian coast”. - in: https://www.myistria.com