PT RR - Surprise Group * February 25

 PT RR February's cards.

 

Eric found this postcard at a flea market. I also like going to these fairs, every now and then you find some nice cards. Sintra is one of our main tourist attractions and has been classified as a World Heritage Site since 1995. The UNESCO website says:

 In the 19th century Sintra became the first centre of European Romantic architecture. Ferdinand II turned a ruined monastery into a castle where this new sensitivity was displayed in the use of Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance elements and in the creation of a park blending local and exotic species of trees. Other fine dwellings, built along the same lines in the surrounding serra , created a unique combination of parks and gardens which influenced the development of landscape architecture throughout Europe. - in: https://whc.unesco.org

 

I've been to Alcácer do Sal but I don't remember seeing this sanctuary. The card was sent by Celeste. 

The Sanctuary of the Lord of the Martyrs, in Alcácer do Sal, is one of the oldest Christian temples in the country. Construction began in the 13th century by the Knights of Santiago at the time of the Reconquista, then it was expanded and enlarged in the 14th century and transformed from the 16th century onwards.

 Pedro sent a card of a palace-museum in Vigo, Spain.

 Located in the 17th-century Castrelos pazo, the museum is surrounded by beautiful gardens with 19th-century fountains and ponds.
Work began on the construction of this palace in 1670. It is one of Vigo's most beautiful buildings. The building was restored at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. It is currently home to the Quiñones de León Municipal Museum, where you can see an exhibition of archaeological remains found in the city and surrounding areas, as well as an interesting collection of paintings from Galicia. The manor house is situated in Castrelos Park, beautiful surroundings that include stunning French-style gardens - a must-see for visitors. - in: https://www.spain.info

PT RR - Surprise Group * January 25

 It's not that I don't have any postcards to show, I just haven't felt like doing so. Today laziness has been overcome and here are the 3 postcards of the RR in Portuguese that I received in January.

 

This was the first postcard that Catarina has ever sent me and she didn't choose badly at all. I confess that I don't know much about Vila Flor and I only have 2 or 3 postcards from there. 

Located in Serra do Facho, between Vila Flor and Roios, on the Senhora da Lapa hill, this is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the municipality, affectionately nicknamed “Capelinhas”. It consists of a bandstand and 9 chapels, from different periods and types of construction. The chapel dedicated to Santa Marinha is the oldest and the chapel of Senhora da Lapa was built in 1760.

 

Tiago had already sent me a postcard of a water carrier transporting/selling water, here we have several water carriers collecting water from a well.

With this postcard, Celeste told me about the Convento dos Cardaes in Lisbon, a place I'd never heard about before.

The 17th century building is a jewel in the city, on its own right. It survived the 1755 earthquake and is one of the few pre-Pombaline structures in existence today. It houses a significant collection of sacred and decorative arts, preserved over the centuries by devoted sisters. The pride and joy of the Convent is, nevertheless, the social work initiated in the XIX century and still well alive in the presente day: the caring of women with special needs, such as blindness, who call the Convent their home and family. - in: https://www.conventodoscardaes.com

US-11090513

 Look how beautiful this card!! It is not only beautiful but also special, it is my official card #2000. It traveled 6,267 km, all the way from South Carolina and it took 13 days to get here. Even tough it was sent from South Carolina, the card depicts a wonderful landscape in the other side of the country.

 

US-11090513, sent by Rose.

The view that Ansel Adams made famous, Tunnel View is a must stop for any first time visit to Yosemite Valley.
Tunnel View provides one of the most famous views of Yosemite Valley, showcasing the immensity of the granite walls that surround Yosemite Valley and providing a classic view of El Capitan, Half Dome, Sentinel Rock, Cathedral Rocks, and Bridalveil Fall. It is spectacular at sunset or after the clearing of a storm. 

US-11073925

 Oakland is a city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area in the U.S. state of California.

 

 Photo by Chris Gilbert

US-11073925, sent by Jennifer.

Designed by renowned architect Welton Beckett as Henry J. Kaiser's 28-story world headquarters and personal residence, the Kaiser Tower was completed in 1960. Today, the building stands as a masterpiece of contemporary, mid-century modern architecture providing tenants with a first class, full service business environment. The Tower features modern materials and a distinctive, curved architectural design; its broad window lines provide spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay and skyline, beautiful Lake Merritt, and the Oakland hills. - in: https://kaisercenter.com/

BY-3271012

I don't dislike this postcard, although I not a big fan of the size, the vegetable stamps are cute but apart from the address, the date and the postcard ID, Olga didn't write anything else on the postcard!! I always have so much to write.

 

BY-3271012, sent by Olga.

Trinity Suburb is an old picturesque part of Minsk located on the bank of the Svisloch River in the city center. Its cozy little streets and houses, with tile roofs and delicate colors, have become a symbol of Minsk. Their image can be often seen on souvenirs and candy.
Many houses in this part of Minsk are considered to be architectural landmarks though people still dwell in many of them. - in: https://www.belarus.by

Cathedral of the Holy Spirit - Minsk

Not much has been happening on this blog. I haven't had much time, I just received a few cards these last weeks and I don't always like them. A few days ago, some official postcards arrived, including the first of these postcards of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Minsk. The 2nd card is also an official postcard, with the same church, received in 2019.

 BY-3271011, sent by Kamila. 

One of the most visible churches in Minsk, with its central location overlooking the Svisloch river in the historic Upper Town, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit is the most important Russian Orthodox church in the city.

 

BY-2417108, sent by Kate.

Its origins date back to the 17th century when the building served as a Catholic Bernardine monastery. After several devastating fires and a conversion to Orthodoxy, the church was expanded and renovated, though the monastery was closed in 1922. The church's holiest icon is the image of the Mother of God, which is said to have been found by Minsk residents in 1500.

Pannonhalma Abbey - Hungary

There are eight World Heritage Sites in Hungary. The Millenary Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma and its Natural Environment were added to the WHS list in 1996. 

Both these cards have been sent by Joanna. 

The monastery of the Benedictine Order at Pannonhalma was founded in 996 in Western Hungary and had a major role in the diffusion of Christianity in medieval Central Europe. The monastery shows a stratification of different architectural styles and various buildings.

 

Among these buildings: a school (the first ever school founded in the country), the monastic complex – home to the monks whose life is still based on St. Benedict’s Rule ‘Ora et labora’ -, the tourist welcome points and hospitality facilities, the Chapel of Our Lady, the Millennium Chapel and the botanical and herbal gardens.
The monastery’s library also preserves the oldest surviving document in Hungarian language, the Charter of the Tihany Benedictine Abbey, dating back to 1055. The surrounding area, covered by forests with rare and protected floral species and home to many songbirds, complements in an aesthetic way the man-made millenary monastery.

 

The Archabbey of Pannonhalma and its environment (...) are the living testimony of the thousand-year history of the Benedictine monastery, who has become a place of education, culture, ecumenism and encounter. The community of monks still functions today and sustains with continuous dedication one of the living centres of European culture. -in: https://www.comece.eu

Buda Castle - Hungary

Hungary must be one of the European countries from which I receive the least postcards. It was a bit of a surprise to receive an official card from there last week., only my 3rd offcial from this country. 

When I received my 1st cards from Budapest back in 2007, I I was far from imagining that 11 years later I would visit Budapest and see these views. The city is one of the cities that I would like to visit again. 

 

The Castle District stands as one of the capital's most significant historical and cultural hubs. Perched 70 meters above the Danube on the Castle Hill, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Since the 13th century, Buda Castle has served as the residence of Hungarian kings. The strategically defensible Buda Castle Hill has seen a succession of rulers from Hungarian monarchs to Turkish, Habsburg, German, and Soviet hands, each leaving behind a tapestry of captivating and diverse tales. 

 

HU-229655, sent by Maria.

Buda Castle is one of the most iconic landmarks in Hungarian history, with its distinctive dome visible from afar atop Castle Hill. Over the centuries, this palace has been rebuilt and expanded multiple times, serving not only as a royal residence but also as the backdrop for significant historical events.
During the Ottoman occupation, the castle was almost entirely destroyed, but Habsburg rulers made efforts to restore it to its original splendor. However, World War II once again inflicted severe damage. In the second half of the 20th century, an extensive restoration brought the castle back to life. Today, the complex thrives as a modern cultural hub.

Within Buda Castle, visitors will find the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum, the Saint Stephen’s Hall, and the National Széchényi Library. The terrace in front of the palace offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Hungarian capital. - in: https://www.budapestinfo.hu

's-Hertogenbosch - Netherlands

's-Hertogenbosch, also called Den Bosch, is te capital of the North-Brabant province, located in the south of the country, 80 km's from Amsterdam.

 

Den Bosch is famous for its medieval city centre, with its beautiful icon the Gothic St. Janskathedraal, its unique tunnel canals and its many attractive old streets. Den Bosch is also known as the birthplace of famous Dutch renaissance artist, Hieronymus Bosch.

 

Sint-Janskathedraal, St. John's Cathedral, is the largest cathedral in the Netherlands and one of Brabant's four official Top Monuments. 

 

NL-5907585, sent by Brigitte.
The construction is thought to have started in 1220, on orders of Duke Henry I, and was finished in 1340. It has since been rebuilt several times after being destroyed by fires, wars and various other disasters. Despite these setbacks, St. John’s Cathedral still stands strong today as a captivating symbol of Dutch medieval architecture.

NL-4160749, sent by Annelies.

The interior consists of towering stained glass windows depicting biblical stories as well as intricately carved tombs that date back centuries ago which make it truly awe-inspiring to explore! 

 

 NL-308023, sent by Linda.

 Hidden below the old city is a canal network called the Binnendieze that once spanned 22 kilometres. It started out as a regular river, the Dommel, running through the city in medieval times but due to lack of space in the city, people started building their houses and roads over the river. In later times it functioned as a sewer and fell into disrepair. In recent decades, the remaining sixth of the old waterway system has been renovated, and it is possible to take several guided subterranean boat trips through it." - in: wikipedia

DE-15095429

 DE-15095428 was the 1st official of the year, then last monday got this one and I even got DE-15095430. 3 German Id's in a row. 

This one is from Lünen, a city in North Rhine-Westphalia.

DE-15095429, sent by Monika.

There is a lot to discover in the city center.
With a church tower 80 meters high, St. Mary's Church  is also the largest church in Lünen. The church dates from 1896.
Old half-timbered houses, small alleys and lots of charm: The "Old Quarter" invites you to take a leisurely stroll. A quick look at history: Silberstrasse was once home to the citizens who farmed outside the city gates - the so-called Ackerbürger.
Imperial Post Office at Cappenberger Strasse 14 is a listed building.
The three oxen bronze figures are a reminder of the "Danish Oxen Trail". For the Hanseatic city of Lünen, it was an important trade route in the Middle Ages. The animals were driven from the North Sea to Cologne. The sculptures were given to the city in 1991 to mark its 650th anniversary.
The Hanseaal Lünen was built in 1991 as a multi-functional event hall and offers space for conferences, congresses and family celebrations. It is, together with the Heinz Hilpert Theatre,  an indispensable centre of cultural life in Lünen.

DE-15095428

The first official postcards of 2025 have finally arrived. I received 2, both from Germany, but one of them is actually from Russia. This one is perfect to be, in fact, the first official of the year.  

2024 was the year I posted the least and also one of the years I sent and received the least official postcards. These are my 2024 Postcrossing stats. 

 

www.papersisters.de

DE-15095428, sent by Frauke.

Last year I sent out only 68 postcards and received 67. The three countries I sent the most to were, unsurprisingly, Germany, the USA and Russia, the same three from which I received the most. In addition to these, I sent postcards to 21 other countries and received from 16 others.

Ponte de Lima - Portugal

 I've already been given some postcards of Ponte de Lima, I've already bought a few others there, but this is the first one I've received in the mailbox and the first one I'm showing here. It was sent by Oscar to wish me a Merry Christmas.  

Known to the Romans as Limia, a name that comes from the river that the Greeks called Lethes (Forgetfulness), Ponte de Lima is home to a vast heritage. Ponte de Lima, one of the oldest towns in Portugal, with a charter granted by Queen D. Teresa and her son, D. Afonso Henriques, on March 4, 1125, invites you today to enjoy this history, through its medieval streets. and the monuments of the historic center.

 

Fotografia: Osvaldo Santos

The main symbol of Ponte de Lima, that together with the river names the town, is its bridge. In reality, it’s a composite formed by two bridges: a medieval part, which is bigger, starting on the left bank of the river and stretching to the church of Santo António da Torre Velha and beyond, for the length of two more arches. After that, starts the roman part of the bridge. It is only five arches long, starting from the big arch already lying on the old, dry riverbed. - in:https://www.visitepontedelima.pt/en

Colonia del Sacramento - Uruguay

 Colonia del Sacramento, is one of the three UNESCO sites in Uruguay and is of Portuguese origin.

These postcards have been sent by Atali.

Colonia del Sacramento is one of the most important tourist references in Uruguay, receiving thousands of visitors throughout the year. Just an hour from Buenos Aires by boat and two hours from Montevideo by road, this is a place where the visitor meets the culture, history and magic of a wonderful destination on the Rio de la Plata. The city's charm is linked to the particularity of its history.

 

Founded in 1680 by the Portuguese Manoel Lobo, the city passed from the Portuguese domain to the Spanish domain several times.

Throughout the successive destructions and occupations of its territory, the Historic Quarter acquired the urban and architectural heterogeneity that characterizes it:  to the contributions of the Portuguese and Spanish, were added those of the artisans who emigrated there during the second half of the 19th century.

All of its modest buildings, in regard both to their dimensions and their appearance, are a particularly interesting testimony to the singular fusion of the Portuguese and Spanish traditions. in: https://whc.unesco.org

The building on the card is a museum, the Regional Historical Archive Museum, a portuguese house that dates back to 1750. The walls, beams and tiles are all original as are parts of the floor. The museum hold all the important documentation about the city and the region that has been brought back from Spain, Portugal, England, France and neigbouring countries. These includes old maps, police records (1876-1898) and water color paintings from 1840 to 1865.

Byblos - Lebanon

When I saw this card I realized immediately that it was from a UNESCO site but I didn't understand why I was receiving a postcard from Lebanon, it's not a country one often receives postcards from. Diana sent it as a prize for being the winner of the month of December. It was a wonderful surprise. 

Byblos, located on a cliff of sandstone 40 km North of Beirut, is one of the oldest cities in the world. Its ancient inhabitants did not call it Byblos, but rather "Jubla" and later "Jebal". Around 1200B.C. the Greeks named it Byblos or "Papyrus", because it traded in this product.

Continuously inhabited since Neolithic times, Byblos bears outstanding witness to the beginnings of the Phoenician civilization. The evolution of the town is evident in the structures that are scattered around the site, dating from the different periods, including the medieval town intra-muros, and antique dwellings. Byblos is a testimony to a history of uninterrupted construction from the first settlement by a community of fishermen dating back 8000 years, through the first town buildings, the monumental temples of the Bronze Age, to the Persian fortifications, the Roman road, Byzantine churches, the Crusade citadel and the Medieval and Ottoman town. Byblos is also directly associated with the history and diffusion of the Phoenician alphabet. The origin of our contemporary alphabet was discovered in Byblos with the most ancient Phoenician inscription carved on the sarcophagus of Ahiram. - in: https://whc.unesco.org

A beautiful Romanesque church, Eglise Saint Jean Marc is the cathedral church of Jbail-Byblos. The Church is dedicated to Saint Jean Mark, the patron saint of the town (...) The church itself was built in 1115 A.D by the Crusaders, originally as the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. After their departure, earthquakes, invasions and other disasters have repeatedly damaged the structure, and for a few centuries it remained disused. In 1764, Emir Youssef Chehab, of the Druze dynasty that ruled a semi- autonomous Lebanon under the Ottomans, donated the church to L’Ordre Libanais Maronite (Lebanese Maronite Order) which subsequently restored and reopened in 1776 after re-dedicating it to St Jean Marc. British bombardments of Lebanon in 1840 caused further damage, but the church was restored yet again. Eglise Saint Jean Marc continues to serve the Maronite Christian community. One interesting feature in the church is its open- air domed baptistery on the northern side which dates from the original construction in 1115 A.D, The church is situated on Rue de Port, between the port and the archaeological area. - in: https://www.jbail-byblos.gov.lb