Winner of the Month * July '24

In July I've received these cards as a prize for being the winner of the month.
 

Ice cream is probably my favorite dessert, there's always ice cream in my freezer, no matter the season of the year. My favorite flavors are hazelnut and walnut. 

This card was sent by Celeste.

 

Last June I've been to Spain and visited Plasencia, which I thought it was Maritere's hometown. Then in July I got this card and realized I was wrong. Her hometown is Palencia not Plasencia. The names are quite similar, I'm sure I'm not the 1st to get confused with the cities names. 

San Miguel Church is an example in its typology of religious constructions that best confirms the transition between the Romanesque and the incipient Gothic. Its most outstanding element is the rough openwork tower located on the main façade, with a height (reaches 70 meters) and appearance that invite the visitor to imagine a defensive or military use. Raised on the remains of an earlier construction, it was built in the early eleventh century. Legend has it that in this place Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar and his wife Doña Jimena got married. The temple of San Miguel is also the scene every January 1 of one of the traditions that best define the cultural heritage of the city. This is the so-called "Baptism of the Child", an interesting and special celebration with status of Festival of National Tourist Interest. - in: https://turismo.aytopalencia.es

I've said a few times before that getting cards from UNESCO tentative sites is almost as good as getting cards from places that already are classified. I've just found out that the Rambla of Montevideo is on the tentative list. I don't know if Atalí knew about this but it makes the card even more interresting.

The Rambla of Montevideo is the coastal avenue that goes along the coastline of the Rio de la Plata in Montevideo, Uruguay. At a length of over 22.2 uninterrupted kilometres (13.7 mi), the promenade runs along the Río de la Plata and continues down the entire coast of Montevideo. - in: wikipedia

The building with a tower, right in the middle of the image, is the Zoological Museum, inaugurated in 1956.

This card is from Norway but it was sent from Portugal by Isabel. 

In winter, much of Norway transforms into a snow-clad paradise. The average temperature is -6.8 degrees Celsius, but the local conditions may vary quite a lot. Around Oslo, snowfall is common and the average winter temperatures are just below zero.
The lower inland areas of Finnmark, Troms, Trøndelag, and Eastern Norway often have very cold winters with lots of snow.
The inland areas of Northern Norway have an Arctic climate with snow and cold temperatures. However, the climate is usually much milder in coastal areas, thanks to the Gulf Stream. Strong winds occur frequently.
The coastal areas of Fjord Norway and Southern Norway also enjoy a milder climate, with temperatures around 0 degrees Celsius at sea level. However, much of the region is snowy and cold, which makes for good skiing conditions, especially in the mountains. - in: https://www.visitnorway.com

DE-13603468

This is another postcard whose ID does not match the location of the image. The ID is German but this lighthouse is located at the southernmost tip of Norway.

DE-13603468, sent by Claudia.

Lindesnes Lighthouse is Norway's oldest dating back to 1656 but the present lighthouse was built in 1915. 

The lighthouse has been designated a national lighthouse museum, and hosts various exhibitions relating to the development and history of lighthouses, maritime culture, etc. The mountainhall below the lighthouse houses a cinema, exhibitions and a café. The complex also comprises a museumshop, a restaurant and a gallery. You can see the remains of a German WW2 fort, and there are marked paths in the area. - in: https://www.visitnorway.com

Akershus Castle - Norway

My friend Anne has finally started to travel again after the forced breake due to covid. I think that now that she's back to airports and planes, she'll travel again soon. I don't know where she'll go next but I know where she has been to last month. She visited Oslo and sent me this nice card of the Akershus Castle, which I've never heard about before.

Foto: iStock / Tomas Sereda

The Akershus Fortress was built in the late 1290s by King Håkon V to ward off attacks from the Norwegian nobleman, Earl Alv Erlingsson of Sarpsborg. The fortress’s value came from its strategic location near the sea, and it has survived numerous sieges, never being captured in active battle. However, during the Second World War, occupying German forces captured the fortress (without a fight) and used it as a prison and execution center.

However Akershus Castle was used as a prison prior to WWII too. It housed many famous prisoners, including early Norwegian socialists.

The fortress houses a castle, church, the Norwegian Armed Forces Museum, a model of Christiania (Oslo’s former name), and a prison museum. In addition, many members of the Norwegian royal family are buried in the castle’s mausoleum.

The Akershus fortress has the status of a national symbol because of its role as seat of the king and government and the many important and dramatic historical events that have taken place here. The national importance is underlined by the fact that the castle now used as government's premier entertainment venues and hosts the Royal Mausoleum. - in: http://www.everycastle.com

Røros - Norway

This colorful charming timber town was founded in 1646 and has since developed as both a mining and agricultural community. Included on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites as early as 1980. The town centre boasts a rare collection of large and well-preserved wooden buildings, made all the more real and authentic by the fact that the people of today live and work in them. - in: https://www.visitnorway.com

 

The 1st of these cards was sent in 2011 by Rita and the 2nd last December by Eric, who worked in this village a few years ago. 

Røros Mining Town and the Circumference is linked to the copper mines, established in the 17th century and exploited for 333 years until 1977. The site comprises the Town and its industrial-rural cultural landscapes; Femundshytta, a smelter with its associated area; and the Winter Transport Route. Completely rebuilt after its destruction by Swedish troops in 1679, Røros contains about 2000 wooden one- and two-storey houses and a smelting house. Many of these buildings have preserved their blackened wooden façades, giving the town a medieval appearance. Surrounded by a buffer zone, coincident with the area of privileges (the Circumference) granted to the mining enterprise by the Danish-Norwegian Crown (1646), the property illustrates the establishment and flourishing of a lasting culture based on copper mining in a remote region with a harsh climate. - in: www.whc.unesco.org/en/list/55

 

 

Røros church - also called "The pride of the mining town" - was built in the golden age of the Røros Copper Company. The building was finished in 1784 and is one of the largest churches in Norway, with 1600 seats. 

The structure on the right side of the card is the Hyttklokka, a bell was used to notify workers at the smelthytta(smelter hut) when work started and finished. The bell was probably also used as an alarm, to warn of fires, for example. If you take a photo of Hyttklokka with the church in the background, you will have captured the classic Røros setting. - in: https://en.roros.no

NO-229166

Yesterday I came home after a few days on holidays on Madeira island and I was hoping to find a lot of mail in my mailbox but only found 3 cards. Only 3 but nice cards, including this official from Norway, my 5th official from this country and a new card to the FOTW collection.

 

© concept by Postcardsmarket.com 

NO-229166, sent by Marit.

Norway has an area of 385.178 km², a population of 5.214.900 and its capital is Oslo.
 Unique:
 * Longest european coastline - 53.199 km, according to the World Resources Institure;
 * Laerdal Tunnel - 24.5 km, the longest road tunnel in the world, on European route E16;
 Famous:  
* Winter Olympic Kings - Norway has won the most medals with a total of 303 medals (107 gold medals);
* The most olympic medals - 451 medals, the higest number of Summer and Winter Olympics per capita;
 History:

* Formation - 872, Kingdom of Norway with Harald Fairhair as its first king (872 - 930);

* Ahrensburg culture - 11th to the 10th millennia BC, the first inhabitants of Norway. 

Geiranger Fjord - Norway

One of the first things that comes to mind when thinking about Norway are the fjords and this one in Geiranger is the most famous and most visited in the country. Geiranger is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Located in Sunnmøre in the municipality of Stranda in Møre og Romsdal county, in the western part of Norway, this small tourist village lies at the head of the Geirangerfjord.

The iconic Geirangerfjord is considered one of the most beautiful fjords in the world, and is included on the UNESCO World Heritage list together with the Nærøyfjord.

The Geirangerfjord is one of Norway’s most popular natural attractions. The fjord is 260 metres deep while the surrounding mountains are 1600-1700 metres high. The fjord is also known for its spectacular waterfalls and deserted fjord farms high up on the steep cliffsides. 

NO-47157, sent by "calendula".

The idyllic nature and the dramatic mountains will impress any visitor in the area. 

The now deserted fjord farms tell the tales of a different time and way of life. You can visit some of the farms, such as Skageflå, Knivsflå, Blomberg, Matvik, Syltevik and Westerås. - in: https://www.fjordnorway.com

Bergen - Norway

Back in 2012 Heidi "dollart" travelled to Norway, the expensive south Norway, she said. Norway is on my must visit list but at the bottom of it. This country is way too expensive for a poor portuguese. In 2009 Valérie also visited the country. These are the cards they sent me. 

Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and the most popular gateway to the fjords of West Norway. The city still has relics of its Hanseatic heyday, most notably the old harbor of Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bergen has been ravaged by several fires; the most recent major fire took place in 1917, a fire which destroyed most of the buildings in what is today the central parts of the city center.

 © Aune Forlag AS

 Between 1350 and 1750 Bryggen used to be a Hansa dock, trading and processing area. The wooden houses at Bryggen today were built after the devastating city fire of 1702, but are probably very similar to the buildings that were there before. Despite neglect and fires (Norwegian cities had a habit of burning down because everything is made of wood), a considerable number of buildings have survived and are now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 If you enter some of the alleyways between the storefronts, you really get a feel of what Bergen must have been like in the middle ages. There are a few museums on the history of Bergen and of Bryggen, but the most interesting aspect is probably that almost all of the buildings are still in use. One example is the restaurant Bryggen tracteursted, serving food and drinks in a building first opened for this purpose in 1708. - in: wikitravel

Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum - Norway

Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site and the last Norwegian site added to the UNESCO WHS list. Last month Doris got to visit the Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum in Rjukan. 

Rjukanfossen (the Rjukan Waterfall) lay the foundation for the Vemork Power Plant, which became the largest of its kind in the world when completed in 1911. The Vemork Power Plant now houses the Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum and the World Heritage Centre. Visitors can learn about the industrial adventure that began in the early 1900s and about the dramatic events that took place in Rjukan during World War II. - in: https://nia.no/en/vemork/

Photo: I. Karvand / NIA

During Word War II, Vemork in Rjukan was one of the few places in Europe that made heavy water, an important ingredient in the first nuclear bombs. The facility was sabotaged by Norwegian resistance fighters, which prevented Germany from developing the atom bomb. This operation made Vemork the centre of one of the most important and daring sabotage missions during the war. - in: https://www.visitnorway.com

Tromsø - Norway

I want to see the northern lights and Tromsø, in Norway, is one of the best places in the world to see them. My friend Anne has been to the city last August, not the time of the year to see this phenomenon. Depending on the weather conditions and solar activity, the best time to see the lights is from September to April. 

Foto: iStock/mantaphoto * © Normmans Kunstforlag © Aune Forlag AS

I want to see the lights and I want to take pictures of the lights. These are some tips to take some perfect Instagram pictures.

- Remember to check the weather forecast (you want clear skies) and the aurora forecast (so you know when she’ll be dancing);

- Get away from the city lights. If you stand too close to them, your photos won’t be that good. Find a good spot away from the city centre;

- Do not use a flash;

- Use manual focus:

- Download camera replacement apps. They give you more options to change camera settings, such as the shutter speed. Popular apps include Long Exposure 2, NightCap Camera, and Northern Lights Photo Taker;

- For stability, use a tripod and a timer to delay the shot;

- Bring a power bank. Batteries drain faster in cold weather. - in: https://www.visitnorway.com/

PT RR - Group 122 * Surprise December

Is not that I don't like Christmas cards but for the December surprise group of this RR, I decided that I didn't to receive them. Laura, Rui, Ana Rita and Paula respected that and sent me these cards. 

I must confess that I didn't get what this tower was when I first saw this card. In fact, this tower is made of several cork stools on top of each others. These stools, called "tropeços", currently produced in Gaspalha, parish of Álvaro, are one of the examples of the typical craftsmanship in Oleiros municipality. 

Fotos: Antº Macedo; David de Abreu; Carlos Reveles; Izhar Perlman; Sergi Zelman; Sérgio Duarte; Vera Sanches * @ 2017 - Ed. 19 de Abril: 157

I work at weekends, holidays and holy days, I have days off during the week, I often have no idea if it's Monday or Wednesday, a calendar might help me. 

Nunes de Almeida Editores

I like to travel by train and every year I say that I'll finally travel on the Douro Historical Train but that didn't happen so far.  

The Douro Historical Train operates annually between June and October.

Travelling on the Douro Historical Train is like travelling back in time. In a route along the Douro River, the steam locomotive and the five historical carriages run the distance between Régua and Tua, on a unique trip to the past through the beautiful landscape, which is classified by UNESCO as World Heritage. - in: https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/how-to-travel/For-leisure/Nature-and-Culture/douro-historical-train

The Postcrossing logo is a registered trademark

Paula went to Norway to attend the Northern Lights Meeting. Such a unique meeting had to have, obviously, a postcard and stamp to match the event.

It is no wonder that both the postcard and the stamp are dedicated to the northern lights. Tromsø, where the meeting was held, is one of the best places in the world to see this natural phenomenon.

Tromsø is located in the middle of the Northern Lights Oval, which is the area with the highest probability of seeing the lights. This means that there will always be good chances of Northern Lights, regardless of the sun’s cycles.

This natural phenomenon can be observed from September to April, depending on the weather conditions and solar activity. If the sky is clear, you might be able to see the Northern Lights right above the city, but to increase your chances we recommend going on a tour away from the bright lights of the city centre. - in: https://www.visittromso.no/en/content/northernlights-10-reasonstogototromso

Stetind - Norway

I love, love this card and was more than happy when Alex tagged me with it.

Foto: Frode Jenssen

Stetind or Stetinden is a mountain in the municipality of Tysfjord in Nordland county, Norway. The mountain has very smooth sides reaching all the way to the fjord. Stetind has an obelisk-shape which gives it a very distinct look. 

In 2002 it was voted to be the "National Mountain" of Norway by listeners of NRK. - in: wikipedia

Nordkaap - Norway

Last year Ara has been twice to Norway, 1st to the Lofoten Islands and then a bit farther north at the Nordkapp. She sent a card with a matching stamp and postmark. The other card is an official that I got in 2011. 

Foto: Hurtigruten / Richard Pitcairn Knowles

Nordkapp (or North Cape in English) is located in Finnmark county, Norway.

North Cape rises a proud and mighty 308 meters above the Barents Sea. North Cape is the last point before the sea ice in the north.

Some 200,000 tourists visit this place annually, some to experience the midnight sun.

NO-48902, sent by Damla.

The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon which means that the sun does not set during the summer months. In other words, given fair weather, you can see the sun for a continuous 24 hours. The duration of the midnight sun depends on how far north you are and at the North Cape you can see the sun from 14 May to 29 July.

Lofoten islands - Norway

Ara has recently been to Lofoten Islands in Norway. She says the landscapes are incredibly beautiful. After seeing her pictures on FB and getting this card, I really believe in her words. 

Lofoten is a Norwegian archipelago situated in the Arctic Circle which is the most northerly of the abstract five major circles of latitude. It is characterized by a distinct and dramatic scenery of mountains and peaks, imposing fjords ripping the sea, virgin areas, pristine beaches and sheltered bays. 

Foto: Aune Forlag / Ole P. Rorvi

This territory is considered inhospitable by many and from the earliest times has been occupied only by the bravest men of the sea: first the Vikings and later the cod fishers, especially in the winter when the cod migrates from the Barents Sea to the South and arrives to the Lofoten Islands to spawn.

Despite the harsh winters, due to the hot Gulf current, the archipelago has a much milder climate than other parts of the globe at the same latitude. It is this location that allows you to experience two of the most beautiful experiences that Mother Nature has to offer: the midnight sun and the aurora borealis.

NO-147441

In ten years of Postcrossing activity, this is only the 4th time I get an official card from Norway. All of them great cards, by the way. 

The most famous Glaciers in the Arctic Circle are Okstindan and Svartisen. This is a card of Svartisen, the 2nd largest glacier in Norway. 

Foto: NK/Fjellanger Wideroe

NO-147441, sent by Heidi.

The Svartisen glacier is a part of Saltfjellet / Svartisen national park, wich is Norway´s most various national park. The Svartisen glacier is 375 square kilometer, an thereby covers quite a bit of land. The glacier stretches all the way from the widths in Saltfjellet mountain area, through beautifull valleys with calm rivers, and out to fjords and steep mountains at the coast. - in: http://www.gonorway.no/norway/articles/87

Many Themes RR - Group 1544 * Churches

More churches but these are from a different RR and from different countries. These are from Russia, Norway and USA. 

There is no identification of this church on this card sent by Olga, not even it's location but I managed to figure it out. This is the Protection of the Holy Virgin Church, the new church in Pivovariha.  And this was the only thing I could find abou this church. 

Foto: Aune Forlag / Ole P. Rorvik * © Aune Forlag, www.aune-forlag.no

Anne had to resend this card because the 1st one she sent got lost in the mail. 

This is the Stiklestad Church, located in Stiklestad, a village in the in Nord-Trøndelag county, Norway.  The stone church building was completed in 1180 

The church was built at the site of the Battle of Stiklestad. During the battle, St. Olaf received three severe wounds—in the knee, in the neck, and the final mortal blow through the heart—and died leaning against a large stone. The church building is assumed to have been erected on the exact spot where St. Olaf was killed during that battle and that stone is supposedly still inside the altar of the church. - in: wikipedia

Photo ©  Dianne Dietrich Leis

Sybil sent this card showing the old Mission San Diego de Alcalá in California.

Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá was the first Franciscan mission in the Las Californias Province of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. Located in present-day San Diego, California, it was founded on July 16, 1769 by Spanish friar Junípero Serra in an area long inhabited by the Kumeyaay Indians. The mission and the surrounding area were named for the Catholic Saint Didacus, a Spaniard more commonly known as San Diego. The mission was the site of the first Christian burial in Alta California. San Diego is also generally regarded as the site of the region's first public execution, in 1778. Father Luís Jayme, "California's First Christian Martyr," lies entombed beneath the chancel floor. The current church is the fourth to stand on this location. The Mission is a National Historic Landmark. - in: wikipedia