Postcards Around the World

2012-09-20

Ravenna - Italy (UNESCO)

Sent by "chihuahua", it shows some views of several of the early Christian monuments in Ravenna

Sent by Alexie, a sepia photo of Basilica of San Vitale

"Ravenna was the seat of the Roman Empire in the 5th century and then of Byzantine Italy until the 8th century. It has a unique collection of early Christian mosaics and monuments. All eight buildings – the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Neonian Baptistery, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the Arian Baptistery, the Archiepiscopal Chapel, the Mausoleum of Theodoric, the Church of San Vitale and the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe – were constructed in the 5th and 6th centuries. They show great artistic skill, including a wonderful blend of Graeco-Roman tradition, Christian iconography and oriental and Western styles." In: UNESCO

2012-09-19

Map of Íle d'Oléron - France

Sent by "Octabis"

"Île d'Oléron (English: Island of Oleron) is an island off the Atlantic coast of France (due west of Rochefort), on the southern side of the Pertuis d'Antioche strait.

It is the second largest French island after Corsica (not counting French overseas collectivities)." In: Wikipedia

2012-09-18

Piccadilly Circus in London - United Kingdom

Sent by Mónica Castro

"Piccadilly Circus is a road junction and public space of London's West End in the City of Westminster, built in 1819 to connect Regent Street with the major shopping street of Piccadilly. In this context, a circus, from the Latin word meaning "circle", is a round open space at a street junction.

Piccadilly now links directly to the theatres on Shaftesbury Avenue, as well as the Haymarket, Coventry Street (onwards to Leicester Square), and Glasshouse Street. The Circus is close to major shopping and entertainment areas in the West End. Its status as a major traffic intersection has made Piccadilly Circus a busy meeting place and a tourist attraction in its own right. The Circus is particularly known for its video display and neon signs mounted on the corner building on the northern side, as well as the Shaftesbury memorial fountain and statue of an archer popularly known as Eros (sometimes called The Angel of Christian Charity, but intended to be Anteros). It is surrounded by several noted buildings, including the London Pavilion and Criterion Theatre. Directly underneath the plaza is Piccadilly Circus tube station, part of the London Underground system." In: Wikipedia

2012-09-17

Penguins - Russia

Sent by Anna

2012-09-16

St Rose of Lima College - Macau

unused, bought in Lisboa (Portugal)

The Saint Rose of Lima College is a private catholic college in Macau.

2012-09-15

Calçadão da 13 de Julho in Aracajú - Brazil (Postcrossing Meeting)

Sent by Déa, from the Postcrossing Meeting in Sergipe (23/06/12)

"Aracaju is the capital of the State of Sergipe, Brazil, located in the northeastern part of the country, about 350 km (217 mi) north of Salvador. It has a population of 570,937 inhabitants, which represents approximately 33% of the state population. The coast of Aracaju has many unspoiled beaches, such as the ones in Santa Luzia Island, and urban beaches, such as the Atalaia. These coastal neighborhoods include playgrounds, squares, football fields, volleyball and basketball courts, residential buildings, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, banks and hotels.

Aracaju, one of the first cities to be planned in Brazil, was built with the intention of becoming the state capital. It was founded in 1855, as the capital of Sergipe." In: Wikipedia

2012-09-14

Horta, Açores - Portugal

Sent by Lurdes

Information on the card: "A view of the town with the Pico Island at the background."

2012-09-13

Holašovice - Czech Republic (UNESCO)

unused, offered by Martinha

"Holašovice is an exceptionally complete and well-preserved example of a traditional central European village. It has a large number of outstanding 18th- and 19th-century vernacular buildings in a style known as 'South Bohemian folk Baroque', and preserves a ground plan dating from the Middle Ages." In: UNESCO

2012-09-12

Vineyard Terraces in Lavaux - Switzerland (UNESCO)

unused, bought in Braga (Portugal)

"The Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, stretching for about 30 km along the south-facing northern shores of Lake Geneva from the Chateau de Chillon to the eastern outskirts of Lausanne in the Vaud region, cover the lower slopes of the mountainside between the villages and the lake. Although there is some evidence that vines were grown in the area in Roman times, the present vine terraces can be traced back to the 11th century, when Benedictine and Cistercian monasteries controlled the area. It is an outstanding example of a centuries-long interaction between people and their environment, developed to optimize local resources so as to produce a highly valued wine that has always been important to the economy." In: UNESCO

2012-09-11

Vila Nova de Milfontes - Portugal

Sent by Ninocas

"Vila Nova de Milfontes is a parish in the Odemira municipality of Portugal. It is cornered between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mira River, in the Sudoeste Alentejano and Costa Vicentina Natural Park.

The village dates from the year 1468, founded by the King D. João II. The first inhabitants were prisoners sentenced by minor delicts and fifty years after the village establishment the population was no more than ten families. The village was frequently attacked by pirates and a fortress was built in 1602. The fortress is commonly called Saint Clement's Castle." In: Wikipedia