The Second Tower - San Marino

"On the second, and highest pinnacle of Mount Titano, 756 meters high, we find the Cesta Castle (also called Fratta). Built at the end of the XI century, this too has a pentagonal floor plan. The Second Towerhoused the Fortification Guards Division as well as some prison cells. Around the end of the XVI century, when the tower was no longer of strategic importance, it fell into disuse. In 1930, as a result of the construction of the Rimini - San Marino railroad, it was decided to restorate the medieval monuments in order to stimulate turism. 

Today the Cesta Tower houses the Museum of Archaic Arms, which contains approximately 535 pieces including: sidearms, spears and lances, firearms, bows and arrows, crossbows and coats of armour, all dating back to various periods from the Middle Ages to the end of 1800. The rest of the collection, which totals more than 1550 pieces, can be found in the "Center for the Study of Military Arms from the Middle Ages to the 1800's" in Borgo Maggiore. " In: San Marino Site

Széchenyi Chain bridge, Budapest - Hungary

sent by kosta28

"The Széchenyi Chain Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans the River Danube between Buda and Pest, the western and eastern sides of Budapest, the capital of Hungary. It was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Budapest, and was opened in 1849.

It is anchored on the Pest side of the river to Széchenyi (formerly Roosevelt) Square, adjacent to the Gresham Palace and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and on the Buda side to Adam Clark Square, near the Zero Kilometer Stone and the lower end of the Castle Hill Funicular, leading to Buda Castle.

The bridge has the name of István Széchenyi, a major supporter of its construction, attached to it, but is most commonly known as theChain Bridge. At the time of its construction, it was regarded as one of the modern world's engineering wonders. It has asserted an enormous significance in the country's economic, social and cultural life, much as the Brooklyn Bridge has in New York and America. Its decorations made of cast iron, and its construction, radiating calm dignity and balance, have elevated the Chain Bridge to a high stature in Europe. It became a symbol of advancement, national awakening, and the linkage between East and West." In: Wikipedia

Bom Jesus Sanctuary, Braga

unused, made from cork

The Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary (The Good Jesus of the Mont Sanctuary) and it's surrounded areas are one of my favorite places in Braga, my hometown. This is a partial view of the staircase and the front of the church.

"The Sanctuary is a notable example of pilgrimage site with a monumental, Baroque stairway that climbs 116 metres (381 feet). It is an important tourist attraction of Braga. [...] The design of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus, with its Baroque nature emphasised by the zigzag form of its stairways, influenced many other sites in Portugal (like Lamego) and colonial Brazil, like the Sanctuary of Congonhas. As the pilgrims climbed the stairs, (by tradition encouraged to do so on their knees) they encountered a theological programme that contrasted the senses of the material world with the virtues of the spirit, at the same time as they experienced the scenes of the Passion of Christ. The culmination of the effort was the temple of God, the church on the top of the hill. The presence of several fountains along the stairways give the idea of purification of the faithful.

The new church (built 1784–1834) by Carlos Amarante was one of the first Neoclassic churches of Portugal." In: Wikipedia

Waterfall in Pedro Miguel, Faial Island - Açores

Caracolinho's parents were in vacations at Açores (in English Azores) and she sent me this card showing a waterfall in Pedro Miguel, Faial Island.


"Faial Island (the blue island) is part of the Azores central group, located about 66 miles from Terceira, 4.5 miles from Pico and 11 miles from S. Jorge. The surface area of Faial Island is approximately 67 square miles (173 km2). The island has about 15.000 inhabitants and its main municipal seat is located in the city of Horta. Different colours of blue decorate the houses, divide the fields and line the roadsides, giving Faial the name of Blue Island.

In the 18th century the development of whale hunting brought the early whaling fleets to Horta. By 19th century, Horta had become an important sea port, and a stopping point for a large number of yachts crossing the Atlantic.

In 1957 a great volcanic eruption from the "Ilheu dos Capelinhos", about 1 km from the coast, projected large quantities of lava and ash forming an islet that later became connected to Faial island by an isthmus.

The green circle of a volcanic cone at the top of a hill; White houses in towns mirrored on the ocean; The masts of sailing boats sailing from all over the world; The ochre walls of a fortress that has witnessed countless naval battles; The unforgettable sight of sunrise with the island of Pico in the background; The quiet inlets with beaches of soft sand; The hydrangeas standing out against the landscape, framing houses and roads, reason why Faial has been christened the "blue island"." In: Azores.com

DE-936499 - Frankfurt

DE-936499 sent by xheo83

This multiview card shows the Frankfurt city. The sender says it's the fift-largest among German cities and that nowadays, the city is mainly known for it's financial district pointed out by a skyline of bank towers.

"Frankfurt am Main commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2009 population of 672,000. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,295,000 in 2010. The city is at the centre of the larger Frankfurt/Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region which has a population of 5,600,000 and is Germany's second largest metropolitan area.
In English, this city's name translates to "Frankfurt on the Main". The city is located on an ancient ford on the river Main, the German word for which is "Furt". A part of early Franconia, the inhabitants were the early Franks. Thus the city's name reveals its legacy as being the "ford of the Franks" In: Wikipedia

Zlatni Rat - Croatia

unused, bought in Portugal

"Croatia's most spectacular is the vast, golden shingle sandbar, almost 580 yards long, known as the Golden Horn. It juts out into the water at Bol on the island of Brac, the large island opposite Makarska.
The beach has a unique shape, like a white tongue stretched into the sea. It is unique also for the fact that it changes shape and position, depending on the wind. With its beauty and offer of various sports, the beach Zlatni rat attracts tourists from all over the world, who enjoy the sun, the sea and water sports." In: Croatia Beaches

Chapel of Bones - Évora

In Évora historic center (also UNESCO), at St. Francis Church, there is a very unique chapel: the walls are covered with real human bones! In there you have a mixture of feelings, it's a morbid place but at the same time is beautiful... It's absolutely a place that you never forget!

"The Capela dos Ossos (English: Chapel of Bones) is one of the best known monuments in Évora, Portugal. It is a small interior chapel located next to the entrance of the Church of St. Francis. The Chapel gets its name because the interior walls are covered and decorated with human skulls and bones. The Capela dos Ossos was built in the 16th century by a Franciscan monk who, in the Counter-Reformation spirit of that era, wanted to prod his fellow brothers into contemplation and transmit the message of life being transitory. This is clearly shown in the famous warning at the entrance "Nós ossos que aqui estamos pelos vossos esperamos" (“We bones, lying here bare, are awaiting yours")." In: Wikipedia

PL-219632 - St. Mary's Cock

PL-219632 sent by letzteregen
I also collect cards showing chickens or roosters. So I gladly received this one with the St. Mary's Cock.

"St. Mary's Church or, properly, Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary  is a Roman Catholic church in Gdańsk, Poland, which is claimed to be the largest brick church in the world." In: Wikipedia

DE-928788 - Art made from marble and tiles

DE-928788 sent by sternhaufen


This card is weird... It seems to be made from different types of marble and tiles, but the sender doesn't say anything about it...

FI-1109793 - Swan

FI-1109793 sent by tuojo

This is a amazing card! This white swan is flying "in front" of the a beautiful moon! This is one perfect card!!!

It says that this picture was taken from a calendar of 1999 called "Like the birds of the sky" (in Finnish "Kuin taivaan linnut").